German Pensions to Rise Again, but Slower Than Inflation

BERLIN—German retirees’ pensions will rise significantly this summer for the second consecutive year, the government said Monday, though the increase will still fall short of the current inflation rate.
The Labor Ministry said pensions will increase by 4.39 percent in the former West Germany on July 1 and by 5.86 percent in the formerly communist east. That will follow increases last year of 5.35 percent in the west and 6.12 percent in the east.
Rises in German pensions are linked largely to wage developments. Inflation has added to upward pressure on wages; salary negotiations in various sectors lately have seen high demands and in some cases hefty increases….