Joint Statement by the Chairs of dpvkom and DBV on Pension Reform
Düsseldorf, October 22, 2026
When the collective bargaining association for Postbank employees was founded on January 1, 2009, no one could have imagined that 18 years later it would still be going strong and that the collaboration would extend far beyond “negotiating collective bargaining agreements for Postbank employees.” Originally, the collaboration took place under the leadership of the dbb (German Civil Servants’ Federation); since 2018, the DBV has been the lead union.
During the working meeting on October 21, 2026, in Bonn between DBV Chair Stephan Szukalski and DPVKOM Chair Christina Dahlhaus, the discussion naturally also focused on collective bargaining, which, after all, never stops.
However, the focus was on developing a joint position on the planned pension reform. The need for reforms to finance the pension system is undeniable. However, the planned abolition of the “block model” for partial retirement, as well as the full pension without reductions for those with particularly long insurance records upon reaching age 65, will meet with our resolute opposition.
We will consistently remind policymakers at the federal and state levels of this and, where possible, seek to join forces with our social partners.