From CNN:
Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel signed aprovisional government program with the center-left Social Democrats, which secured her a third term in office in exchange for policy compromises.The coalition said it would introduce a minimum wage of €8.50 an hour from 2015 -- a move some experts say could help 17% of the German workforce, mainly in the service sector. Most wages are currently set in negotiations between companies and unions, and there is no statutory national minimum.
Germany will also improve pension benefits -- from July 2014, workers who have paid social security contributions for 45 years will be able to retire on a full pension at 63, two years earlier than currently.