The president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, on 31 October 2026 in an interview with broadcaster NDR Info voiced sharp criticism of the current state of intergenerational fairness in Germany. Fratzscher said the older generation was increasingly benefiting at the expense of the young: rising spending on pensions, care and healthcare, along with tax and social policy decisions, placed a considerable burden on future generations. The interview was published on 31 October 2026 and, according to the broadcaster, will be available until 31 October 2028. ([ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/fratzscher-die-aelteren-leben-zu-stark-zulasten-der-juengeren%2Caudio-3568782.html?utm_source=openai))
Fratzscher cited the forthcoming debate on pension and social reforms as the economic policy backdrop, calling for concrete measures to distribute the burden more fairly. Among the proposals he has put forward repeatedly are strengthening the basic state pension, placing a greater burden on large fortunes in retirement, and making structural changes to contributions and benefit entitlements. Fratzscher stressed that without such interventions, younger generations would be increasingly disadvantaged by higher contributions and fewer prospects. This position is consistent with Fratzscher’s earlier comments in the German media, for example in interviews on the pensions commission and the federal government’s reform packages. ([tagesschau.de](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/fratzscher-reformpaket-bundesregierung-100.html?utm_source=openai))
Politically and fiscally, the statement is immediately relevant: in Berlin, the question of retirement provision is currently being discussed on several fronts — in parliamentary committees, in public debate and in working groups on the pension reform. Experts see several areas of conflict: short- to medium-term relief for young households versus the long-term stability of social security systems; greater direct taxation of wealth versus higher contributions for working people. Fratzscher’s assessment is likely to increase pressure on the coalition to set out clearer priorities and present concrete funding proposals. ([tagesschau.de](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/generationengerechtigkeit-104.html?utm_source=openai))
Status and assessment: Fratzscher’s comments are a politically relevant assessment, not a legal finding. He gave no figures, specific legislative proposals or binding timetable in the NDR interview; responsibility for any such reforms would lie with the government and parliament. Fratzscher’s statements can be compared with reports in other quality media and earlier interviews, which support his view that redistribution from young to old is increasing. Further decisions on specific measures remain politically open and would need to be assessed separately. ([ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/fratzscher-die-aelteren-leben-zu-stark-zulasten-der-juengeren%2Caudio-3568782.html?utm_source=openai))
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).