Schulze argues that for many in East Germany, particularly in Saxony-Anhalt, the state pension is often the sole means of financial security in old age, highlighting the region’s lower rates of occupational pensions and private savings. He warns that a sustainable pension system is crucial not only for individual welfare but also for societal stability, urging the pension commission to incorporate the specific circumstances of East Germany into their proposals. This call comes amid broader debates on pension reform, including recent controversial remarks by Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the adequacy of the statutory pension system.