Ostrent-Hardfall Fund's balance sheet labeled as "slim"; benefits accrue to three miners in Saxony
In recent years, there has been no evidence of a program called the "Hardship Fund for retirees in East Germany," according to a search of available information up to mid-2025. This fund, which has not been found in the public record, is distinct from other well-documented hardship or compensation funds for specific groups in Germany.
However, a different Hardship Fund, established by the federal government in 2023, has offered a one-time compensation of €2,500 to retirees who had a portion of their pension claims taken away after 1990. Since 1990, over 500,000 people have lost more than €40 billion in pension payments.
The Round Table on Pension Justice estimates that a one-time payment of €2,500 cannot make up for this loss. Affected groups include women, particularly employees in the healthcare sector and those divorced under DDR law, as well as employees in scientific, technical, pedagogical, medical, and artistic professions.
The distribution of the Hardship Fund has been described as "meager," with varying numbers of recipients across different states. In Saxony, for example, only 2,988 people received the one-time payment, with just three former miners among the recipients.
The CDU-SPD-Green coalition in the last legislative period rejected a demand to join the Hardship Fund foundation and double the one-time payment to €5,000 per successful application in Saxony. This decision is considered to be a factor in the meager distribution of the Hardship Fund in the state.
The Hardship Foundation, managing the fund, has processed 168,903 applications by June 30, 2025, approving 94,677 and rejecting 74,226. The foundation breaks down the payments by occupational sectors, with 728 recipients in Saxony due to pension transfer, 692 late repatriates, and 1,568 quota refugees. Additionally, 48 former postal workers, 97 former Reichsbahn employees, two ballet dancers, and 91 healthcare and social services workers in Saxony received the payment.
In Saxony, a total of 473 divorced individuals received the one-time payment. Despite the distribution of the Hardship Fund, the conditions were designed to benefit only those who receive a pension at the basic security level, leaving tens of thousands of people without compensation despite their contributions throughout their lives.
It is important to note that this article does not discuss a "Hardship Fund for retirees in East Germany" as described in the query, as no such fund with the described features appears in the public record up to mid-2025. If you have more details or a specific fund name, please provide them for a more targeted response.
- Politics and general-news have been buzzing about the inadequacy of the Hardship Fund, a one-time compensation offered to retirees who lost pension payments after 1990, with some criticizing the CDU-SPD-Green coalition for rejecting a demand to double the payment.
- Businesses and finance sectors closely follow the ongoing discussions in politics and general-news regarding the Hardship Fund, with the potential for increased demands for justice and fair compensation for affected groups.
