Аctual Development Problems of the Pension System in Germany

Abstract

The article analyses the problems of the pension system development in modern Germany, which is multifaceted having political, economic, financial and social aspects. The social aspects are most important because they generate some additional social stress and can destabilize the overall situation in the country. As a methodological basis the justice theory by J. Rowls and the research of communication problems between functional self-referential systems in society by N. Luhmann are used. In the 21st century the activity of functional systems becomes more complicated than it was described by the German sociologist and this requires the development of new mechanisms and instruments to make communication between them more effective. Significant attention is paid to two citizens’ categories consisting of those receiving pensions and representatives of the workforce. The conclusion notes the deficiency of existing approaches for determining the size of pensions for different workers’ categories, which is perceived by citizens as an injustice regarding the optimal quality of life guaranteed for elders. At the same time, it is shown that working-age citizens perceive their contributions to the pension insurance system as too great and feel injustice from the high financial burden for an individual household and the economic system as a whole. In the future a balance is needed between the economic development goals and social justice and also the correct subjunctive reality perception of different age groups and workers’ categories. The problematic aspects analysed in the article are also actual for Russia where reform of the pension system is currently taking place.