Report on unpublished study – standard rates for basic security are said to be too high

The black-red coalition wants to present the draft for the 2027 federal budget soon. But a new dispute is already brewing, namely about basic security. According to information from the “Bild” newspaper, a previously unpublished government study shows that the standard rates for adults and children are currently five to seven euros higher than what would actually be provided for according to the new calculation.

According to the report, the Union should therefore push for a reduction. Their argument: standard rates that are too high cannot be justified to taxpayers. The SPD, on the other hand, wants to freeze benefits at the current level because the financial situation of those affected is already tense.

A single adult currently receives 563 euros per month, partners receive 506 euros. Depending on their age, children pay 357, 390 or 451 euros. Most recently, the Federal Employment Agency reported around 4.9 million people in basic security (as of October 2026), which was called citizen's benefit until July 2026 and before that Hartz IV. Around 3.66 million of them are considered employable. In the draft budget for 2027, 50.8 billion euros have so far been earmarked for basic security for job seekers.

The standard rates are regularly recalculated based on the sample of income and consumption. The Federal Statistical Office examines the expenditure of low-income households. Certain expenses, such as alcohol, tobacco or pets, are not taken into account.

The then Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) wanted to forego a cut despite the calculated lower need, the “Bild” continues. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) stopped the bill. Now the new Labor Minister Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) should find a solution.

There is also a dispute over a monthly surcharge of 25 euros for children from low-income families. This was introduced to cushion the consequences of high inflation.

The federal government had agreed to scrap the surcharge from January. Bas, on the other hand, wanted to keep it and, according to “Bild”, suggested introducing an education supplement of 25 euros per month for school children receiving basic income instead. According to the report, the Union rejected this. The SPD parliamentary group is now committed to maintaining the supplement for all affected children.

It is said that 1.5 million children would be affected by the cancellation. The aim is to save around 450 million euros.