Indexation and Harmonization of Complementary Pensions within Joint Committee 200 (and beyond?)

For white-collar workers under Joint Committee 200, salary indexation occurs annually on January 1st. This adjustment applies to all white-collar employees, regardless of their rank or position. The salary increase for 2025 is set at 3.58%.

For employees who receive a portion of their compensation based on performance—such as commissions, premiums, or bonuses—the fixed salary part is the only component adjusted according to the index system mentioned above. If an index-linked increase coincides with another salary increase at the beginning of the year, the indexation increase must be applied first.

In addition to salary indexation, Joint Committee 200 is gradually implementing sector-specific pension schemes for white-collar employees working in industries where blue-collar employees already benefit from sector-level pension coverage. This initiative is part of the broader effort to harmonize complementary pension schemes for both white-collar and blue-collar workers.

Starting July 1, 2025, this will apply to white-collar employees in certain sectors where their blue-collar colleagues are already covered, i.e. joint committees for garages (112), metal recovery (142.01), car bodywork (149.02), precious metals (149.03), and metal trade (149.04). A new pension premium of 1.10% of the gross annual salary (subject to employer contributions) will be required. As a result, the annual premium of €323.69 (for 2025) will no longer apply after July 1, 2025.

Employers in these sectors who already offer an equivalent company pension scheme can opt out of the sector-level pension scheme. However, they must take action by January 20, 2025, to exercise this option.

The indexation of salaries and harmonization of complementary pension schemes is not limited to Joint Committee 200; it impacts multiple sectors. As such, this should be a recurring item on every employer's watchlist!