Pension yes or no? CDU top politician causes a stir – the internet is in a frenzy

It is a central promise of the Union, a centerpiece of the CDU's program for "prosperity and security" - and now a case for political damage limitation: the active pension.

But what was intended as an incentive to continue working voluntarily in old age is now causing maximum confusion – triggered by an interview that was actually supposed to bring clarity. The cause of the chaos is Hendrik Hoppenstedt, the parliamentary manager of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. On Tuesday, on the Phoenix program "Unter den Linden," he said that the pension fund would be relieved by the active pension, "since pension payments do not begin immediately." In other words: those who continue to work will not receive a pension, according to his interpretation. The politician justified his statement by saying that this was not a matter of tax-free additional income.

This statement left people open-mouthed – and not just in the TV studio. Because that was precisely the core of the promise until now: a pension plus an additional €2,000 tax-free. Two incomes, an incentive to work longer. One offer, no deductions. Visibly surprised, Phoenix presenter Michaela Kolster asked: "I'm not going to retire at 67 , but rather just keep working and then I won't get a pension for that time?"

Internet furore: “Does the CDU think pensioners are stupid?”

Hoppenstedt replied: "No, but you'll initially get €2,000 tax-free, plus no pension insurance, plus no unemployment insurance , which could be well worth it." The moderator replied: "I had previously understood that this was additional income, but it's good that you clarified that again," the moderator stated. The answer remained: No pension as long as you work. Period.

Shortly thereafter, the first reactions followed online. "Does the CDU think pensioners are stupid?" asked one user on X. Another commented mockingly: "Either he's misinformed – or the CDU's active pension is a complete joke!" Many felt duped, even calling it a "scam."

But what Hoppenstedt said was apparently nonsense. The reversal followed on Wednesday morning. On Instagram, the politician wrote that he had "simply made a mistake in the heat of the verbal battle." It was a mistake, he says. Nothing more. There was actually no sign of heated debate during the broadcast. Instead, the man had apparently simply made a mistake. Or better, or worse: he had simply dismantled the CDU 's pension plan.

CDU in damage limitation: There is no either-or logic

Party colleagues promptly spoke up. Dennis Radtke, head of the CDA employee association, called it a "slip of the tongue." Then on Wednesday morning, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann intervened in the debate and rebuked his party colleague: "With the active pension, you don't have to forgo your statutory pension. On the contrary: receiving the statutory pension is a prerequisite for the active pension," he clarified in the newspaper Welt. Anyone receiving a pension who wants to continue working voluntarily can earn up to €2,000 tax-free. "This creates additional purchasing power and secures skilled workers," said Linnemann. So, it's true: pension and additional income. It's not an either/or situation.

The SPD is also striving for clarification. The distinction is "extremely important," says Wiebke Esdar, deputy SPD parliamentary group leader. "The active pension, of course, applies in addition to the pension. People reach retirement age, receive their hard-earned pension regularly, and can then continue working voluntarily and earn up to €2,000 a month tax-free." This was agreed upon and firmly established in the coalition agreement with the CDU/CSU.

Already today, retirees can earn unlimited additional income without their pension being reduced. However, they still pay regular taxes on everything. This is precisely where the active pension is intended to come in: earning up to €2,000 tax-free – in addition to their current pension, according to the CDU's promise.