Care reform: Contribution surcharge for those without children increases to 0.9 percent

Meanwhile, the head of the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit, Andreas Storm, considers the planned increase in contribution rates for childless people to be particularly critical. “3.6 percent general contribution and 4.5 percent for childless people – constitutionally we have already reached a questionable dimension here,” Storm told the “Rheinische Post” about the difference between the contribution rates. The spread of contributions should not go any further.

The CDU Economic Council argues similarly: “Increasing the contribution assessment limit in long-term care insurance sends the wrong signal and endangers the economic dynamism of our country,” said the Secretary General of the CDU Economic Council, Wolfgang Steiger, to the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. Those who rely more and more on even higher contributions for service providers “put a strain on work and employment and ultimately weaken the foundation on which the financing of our welfare state is based.”

However, the Economic Council sees positively that prevention and rehabilitation should play a stronger role in the future. “In particular, the principle of ‘rehab before care’ and earlier support for those in need of care and their relatives point in the right direction.”

For the German Social Association (SoVD), Linnemann's reform proposals do not go far enough. The association welcomes the fact that a new commission will deal with structural reforms. “At the same time, central problems remain unsolved,” says SoVD board chairwoman Michaela Engelmeier. She also criticized the fact that the federal government is not repaying the nursing care insurance company for the additional costs from the corona pandemic amounting to 5.2 billion euros.

This is what nursing care reform means

After days of struggle between the Union and the SPD, the care reform was passed in the federal cabinet on Wednesday. For the most part, it remained as Federal Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) had planned. However, the SPD's main demands were not taken into account - a new commission should take care of them.

Those insured may face higher contributions and cuts in benefits. The contribution surcharge for those without children is to rise by 0.3 points to 0.9 percent. A surcharge of 0.52 points is planned in the future for spouses who have previously been insured without paying contributions. In addition, the contribution assessment limit for nursing care insurance is to be increased by 300 euros per month.

The most important innovations at a glance

Stabilization of finances

From January 1, 2027, the contribution surcharge for those without children will be increased by 0.3 points to 0.9 percent.

Increasing the contribution assessment limit for the social nursing care insurance (SPV) by 300 euros per month, analogous to the statutory health insurance (GKV).

As of January 1, 2028, analogous to the GKV reform, a premium surcharge of 0.52 percent will be levied for the co-insurance of spouses or life partners.

The nursing care insurance continues to fully cover the pension insurance contributions for caring relatives.

Strengthening prevention