Metzler Sozialpartner Pensionsfonds will offer pure defined contribution (DC) plans to employees in the private bus sector, extending the reach of its existing social partner model through a ‘docking’ strategy that could open the door to wider adoption across industries.
The latest arrangement involves trade union Ver.di and Baden-Württembergischer Omnibusunternehmen e. V. (WBO), the association representing around 350 private bus operators in Baden-Württemberg. The plan builds on Metzler’s role as the first provider to launch a pure DC plan – Metzler rBZ 1 – via a social partner model, originally developed with energy firm Uniper and Ver.di.
“Our strategy has always been to open the social partner model,” said Christian Pauly, general manager of Metzler Sozialpartner Pensionsfonds. He added that other social partners have expressed interest in docking onto the Metzler Pensionsfonds.
Germany’s social partner models have so far remained confined largely to specific industries, with examples including BVV Pensionsfonds for banking employees and ChemiePensionsfonds and Höchster Pensionskasse for the chemical industry.
Christian Remke, board member at Metzler Pension Management and board director of Metzler Sozialpartner Pensionsfonds, said in a LinkedIn post: “The defined contribution model is slowly being seen for what it is: full of opportunities – especially for employees without access to funded pensions, and as a potentially effective tool in tackling the shortage of skilled workers.”
The new DC plan for bus company employees is set to launch on 1 January 2026. Contributions will start at 1% of monthly gross salary, increasing to 2% in 2027 and 3% in 2028. A mandatory employer contribution of 0.5% will also be introduced from the start date, according to a WBO statement.
Metzler is currently involved in three social partner models: one for Uniper employees, another for airport ground handling services, and now for the bus sector.
The pensionsfonds began offering DC plans in February to 13,000 employees in the airport ground handling sector. All three arrangements are being pooled in a single investment strategy designed to stabilise retirement outcomes across the lifecycle, Pauly said.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) has approved the collective agreement for airport ground services as “generally binding”, allowing even employers outside the relevant employer association to participate in the social partner model.
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