Over four and a half million individuals bring home annual earnings of less than €2750
In Germany, one in five full-time employees earn less than 2,750 euros gross per month, with more than one in four people with at least 45 years in the pension insurance system receiving less than 1,300 euros in pension. This wage problem, as described by Dietmar Bartsch from the Left Party, is not limited to certain regions but is widespread across the country, with more than one in five full-time employees earning less than 2,750 euros in all eastern states, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and in the western state of Baden-Württemberg.
Retirement benefits for low-income earners typically include statutory pension entitlements plus possible supplements like the Grundrente (basic pension supplement). The Grundrente supplement is designed to support pensioners who had low incomes during their working life but made long-term contributions to the statutory pension system. It is automatically awarded by Deutsche Rentenversicherung if eligibility criteria are met, requiring no separate application.
The maximum Grundrente supplement can be up to around 420 euros per month, but most recipients receive less, often between 75 and 90 euros monthly. The supplement amount is based on past earnings and contribution periods. To receive the full Grundrente supplement, your current monthly income must not exceed 1,437.54 euros for a single person; above this, the supplement is gradually reduced and completely eliminated at 1,839.39 euros monthly. For couples, these thresholds are higher. Since 3,500 euros gross monthly is well above the income level for the full Grundrente, many low earners near that income will receive a partial Grundrente supplement depending on their exact income and contribution history.
Besides Grundrente, low-income earners can also qualify for “reduced earning capacity pensions” if they are unable to work fully due to health issues. For these pensions, supplementary income limits apply, ensuring the pension targets those who truly cannot earn much more.
The national minimum wage in Germany, increasing to €12.82 per hour in 2025, sets a floor for gross earnings for many low-income workers but does not directly define pension income amounts. Bartsch criticizes the government for not setting a minimum wage of 15 euros as the lowest wage limit.
In summary, for earners below 3,500 euros gross monthly, the main retirement benefits framework is the statutory pension system, supplemented by the Grundrente for those meeting low-income and contribution conditions, plus possible disability-related pensions where applicable. The exact retirement benefit depends strongly on individual work history, earnings record, and current income at retirement. The automatic awarding of Grundrente simplifies access for eligible low-income retirees.
Bartsch describes the current wage structure as a need for a "serious wage offensive" in Germany, aiming to address the millionfold wage problem in the country.
In light of the significant wage issue in Germany, where many full-time employees earn less than 2,750 euros gross per month, the retirement benefits for low-income earners could serve as a potential solution. These benefits often consist of statutory pension entitlements, along with supplements like the Grundrente for those who contributed long-term to the statutory pension system, even if their personal-finance income was meager. The Grundrente supplement can provide additional financial support, with amounts based partly on past earnings and contribution periods.
