Parliamentary Inquiry Addresses Exclusion from Pension Benefits under § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6 BMinG
Berlin, Germany – July 2, 2025 – A new parliamentary inquiry, designated as Drucksachen 21/737, was published today by the German Bundestag, shedding light on specific provisions within the Federal Ministers’ Remuneration Act (Bundesministergesetz – BMinG). The inquiry, titled “Kleine Anfrage Ausschluss vom Ruhegehalt nach § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6 BMinG” (Small Inquiry Exclusion from Pension Benefits under § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6 BMinG), was officially released at 10:00 AM CEST.
This parliamentary initiative focuses on a particular clause within the BMinG, § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6, which deals with the potential exclusion of individuals from receiving pension benefits. While the exact circumstances leading to this inquiry are not detailed in the initial publication, “small inquiries” (Kleine Anfragen) typically arise from a need for clarification or to address specific concerns held by members of parliament regarding the implementation or interpretation of existing laws.
The BMinG governs the remuneration and pension rights of Federal Ministers and Secretaries of State in Germany. Within this framework, provisions concerning the entitlement to and potential forfeiture of pension benefits are crucial for ensuring fairness and accountability within high-level government positions. Section 21 of the BMinG, in general, addresses pension entitlements. The specific sub-section and sentence cited in the inquiry, § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6, likely outlines conditions under which an individual might be disqualified from receiving their due pension.
The nature of a “small inquiry” suggests that a limited number of members of parliament are seeking specific information or a statement from the responsible government body, likely the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat – BMI), which often oversees such matters. These inquiries are designed to be concise and elicit targeted responses.
While the precise details of the cases or scenarios prompting this inquiry remain confidential at this stage, it is reasonable to infer that concerns have been raised regarding the application of § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6 BMinG. This could stem from a variety of situations, such as a former minister whose pension entitlement is being reviewed, or a general concern about the clarity and fairness of the exclusion criteria.
The publication of this inquiry signals a proactive engagement by members of the Bundestag in scrutinizing the application of laws that affect public officials. It provides an opportunity for greater transparency and understanding of the mechanisms governing pension benefits for high-ranking government appointees. The anticipated response from the relevant ministry will be keenly awaited, as it will offer valuable insights into the government’s position and the practical implications of this specific legal provision.
Further details regarding the specific questions posed in the inquiry and the subsequent response from the government are expected to be made public in due course, contributing to the ongoing discourse on public service and accountability in Germany.
21/737: Kleine Anfrage Ausschluss vom Ruhegehalt nach § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6 BMinG (PDF)
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Drucksachen published ’21/737: Kleine Anfrage Ausschluss vom Ruhegehalt nach § 21 Abs. 3 Satz 6 BMinG (PDF)’ at 2025-07-02 10:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.