French Government Rejects Taxing Retirees to Fund Social Security
French Economy Minister Eric Lombard rejected a proposal by the Labor Minister to tax 40% of retirees to fund social security in the 2025 budget, citing the government's commitment to avoiding new household taxes; the proposal sparked controversy among political parties and government supporters.
French Government Rejects Taxing Retirees to Fund Social Security
French Economy Minister Eric Lombard rejected a proposal by the Labor Minister to tax 40% of retirees to fund social security in the 2025 budget, citing the government's commitment to avoiding new household taxes; the proposal sparked controversy among political parties and government supporters.
Progress
36% Bias Score
France Considers Taxing Wealthy Retirees to Fund Social Security
France's Minister of Labor proposed taxing retirees with pensions exceeding €2000-2500 per month to fund social security, potentially affecting 40% of retirees and generating €500-800 million annually, complementing a potential increase in weekly work hours to address a €2.5 billion funding gap.
France Considers Taxing Wealthy Retirees to Fund Social Security
France's Minister of Labor proposed taxing retirees with pensions exceeding €2000-2500 per month to fund social security, potentially affecting 40% of retirees and generating €500-800 million annually, complementing a potential increase in weekly work hours to address a €2.5 billion funding gap.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Dutch Pension Referendum Proposed Amidst Political Tensions
The Dutch Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) party proposed a referendum for pension fund members to decide about transitioning to the new pension system, sparking opposition from pension funds and coalition tensions, as the new system is meant to be in effect by 2028, with some funds already making the t...
Dutch Pension Referendum Proposed Amidst Political Tensions
The Dutch Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) party proposed a referendum for pension fund members to decide about transitioning to the new pension system, sparking opposition from pension funds and coalition tensions, as the new system is meant to be in effect by 2028, with some funds already making the t...
Progress
48% Bias Score
German Middle Class Bears Disproportionate Tax Burden Amid Rising Healthcare Costs
Germany's middle class pays over 40% of its income in taxes and social security, more than in any other European country, creating an economic disparity that is projected to worsen due to rising healthcare costs. A proposed solution to tax capital gains faces political opposition.
German Middle Class Bears Disproportionate Tax Burden Amid Rising Healthcare Costs
Germany's middle class pays over 40% of its income in taxes and social security, more than in any other European country, creating an economic disparity that is projected to worsen due to rising healthcare costs. A proposed solution to tax capital gains faces political opposition.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Social Security Fairness Act Increases Benefits for Millions of Retirees
President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act on January 5th, 2025, retroactively eliminating the WEP and GPO, increasing Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million public sector retirees by an average of $360 per month, starting in 2024, with some seeing increases exceeding $1000.
Social Security Fairness Act Increases Benefits for Millions of Retirees
President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act on January 5th, 2025, retroactively eliminating the WEP and GPO, increasing Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million public sector retirees by an average of $360 per month, starting in 2024, with some seeing increases exceeding $1000.
Progress
48% Bias Score
CBO Lowers 30-Year US Population Projection by 11 Million
The Congressional Budget Office lowered its 30-year U.S. population projection to 372 million, an 11 million decrease from last year, due to declining birth rates (1.60 births per woman) and reduced immigration resulting from a June executive order temporarily suspending asylum processing.
CBO Lowers 30-Year US Population Projection by 11 Million
The Congressional Budget Office lowered its 30-year U.S. population projection to 372 million, an 11 million decrease from last year, due to declining birth rates (1.60 births per woman) and reduced immigration resulting from a June executive order temporarily suspending asylum processing.
Progress
32% Bias Score
German Health Insurance Contributions Projected to Rise Significantly
The IGES Institute forecasts a substantial rise in German health insurance contributions, reaching 18.5% by 2029 and potentially over 22% by 2035 due to rising healthcare costs and an aging population, prompting the DAK health insurance fund to threaten legal action if reforms aren't implemented.
German Health Insurance Contributions Projected to Rise Significantly
The IGES Institute forecasts a substantial rise in German health insurance contributions, reaching 18.5% by 2029 and potentially over 22% by 2035 due to rising healthcare costs and an aging population, prompting the DAK health insurance fund to threaten legal action if reforms aren't implemented.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Dutch Pension Referendum Proposal Sparks Debate
A new proposal in the Netherlands mandates referendums for all pension funds to consult participants on switching to a new pension system, sparking debate about its feasibility and impact on the transition.
Dutch Pension Referendum Proposal Sparks Debate
A new proposal in the Netherlands mandates referendums for all pension funds to consult participants on switching to a new pension system, sparking debate about its feasibility and impact on the transition.
Progress
40% Bias Score
French Unions and Employers Begin Talks on Pension Reform
French unions and employers initiated three months of talks on January 17th to reform the pension system, a significant shift from President Macron's previous approach, aiming to find compromises on financing and other key issues, potentially impacting the future role of social partners in French po...
French Unions and Employers Begin Talks on Pension Reform
French unions and employers initiated three months of talks on January 17th to reform the pension system, a significant shift from President Macron's previous approach, aiming to find compromises on financing and other key issues, potentially impacting the future role of social partners in French po...
Progress
56% Bias Score
France Considers Seven Hours of Unpaid Annual Work to Fund Social Security
The French government is considering a proposal to require seven additional hours of unpaid annual work from employees to help fund the social security system, aiming for €2 billion in additional revenue by March 1st, 2025, despite previous rejection.
France Considers Seven Hours of Unpaid Annual Work to Fund Social Security
The French government is considering a proposal to require seven additional hours of unpaid annual work from employees to help fund the social security system, aiming for €2 billion in additional revenue by March 1st, 2025, despite previous rejection.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Social Security's Solvency Shortened by Recent Legislation
The Social Security Administration's projected 2035 depletion date for its combined funds has been accelerated by six months due to recent legislation increasing benefits for nearly 3 million recipients without addressing funding, highlighting concerns about the program's long-term solvency and impa...
Social Security's Solvency Shortened by Recent Legislation
The Social Security Administration's projected 2035 depletion date for its combined funds has been accelerated by six months due to recent legislation increasing benefits for nearly 3 million recipients without addressing funding, highlighting concerns about the program's long-term solvency and impa...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Utrecht Crowdfunds to Fix Welfare Payment Inconsistency
Utrecht launched a crowdfunding campaign to support 100 welfare recipients working part-time, aiming to collect €100,000 to address inconsistencies in welfare payments that lead to income shortages and disincentivize work, highlighting flaws in the Dutch Participatiewet.
Utrecht Crowdfunds to Fix Welfare Payment Inconsistency
Utrecht launched a crowdfunding campaign to support 100 welfare recipients working part-time, aiming to collect €100,000 to address inconsistencies in welfare payments that lead to income shortages and disincentivize work, highlighting flaws in the Dutch Participatiewet.
Progress
60% Bias Score