Part 7/12:
One of the most notable recent measures was enacted during Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s government in 2003, introducing the Nachhaltigkeitsfaktor—a sustainability factor designed to slow the rate of pension increases. Later, under Angela Merkel’s leadership, the government froze the decline of the Rentenniveau (pension level relative to average income) at 48%, set to remain until 2025, through what is known as the Haltelinie (ceiling line).