21/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 18 December, the European Court of Justice ruled that certain areas of German legislation on pensions and ageing present an obstacle to the freedom of circulation of individuals (Cases C-396/05, C-419/05 and C-490/05). Two pensioners, Ms Habelt who is living in Belgium and Ms Moser who is living in Germany, both took out an insurance policy from the German state during the Second World War, Ms Habelt in the Sudetenland (later divided into two parts, one in the Czech Republic and the other in Poland) and Ms Moser in Pomerania (now part of Poland). Their payments were not recognised by the German federal old age insurance body Rentenversicherung Bund because neither of the ladies lives in Germany. The Court of Justice rejected this argument on the basis that pensions are covered by Council Regulation 1408/71 on social security, which bans this type of discrimination likely to hinder individuals' right of circulation. (C.D.)