Increasing contributions for childless people and big plans for the future: After a long dispute, the government managed to reach an agreement on long-term care insurance at almost the last minute. What is new is that the contribution surcharge for those without children is to increase by 0.3 percentage points from January 1st. Cuts for those in need of care and carers should be smaller than originally planned. The general contributions should remain stable. What came out of the day-long consultation marathon between the Union and the SPD:
What happens to those paying contributions?
The draft bill passed by the cabinet is intended to increase the contribution surcharge for childless members of the nursing care insurance from 0.6 to 0.9 percent. This should provide the nursing care funds with additional income of initially 3.3 billion euros. Originally planned cuts should therefore be omitted. Otherwise, the contribution paid equally by employer and employee should remain constant at 3.6 percent. For those without children, the rate is now 4.2 percent of income subject to contributions.
The contribution assessment limit for nursing care is to increase by 300 euros per month, which should bring in an additional 500 million euros per year.
As of January 1, 2028, a premium surcharge for co-insurance of spouses or life partners of 0.52 percent is to be levied, with exceptions for, for example, caring relatives.
Additional income of 1.4 billion euros annually is expected to result in contributions to long-term care insurance being due for mini-jobs in the future.
Where should savings be made?
A previously planned increase in benefits for 2028 is to be canceled, so that expenditure will then be reduced by 4.7 billion euros.
The increase in the number of people in need of care should also be limited - with “technically sensible” changes in the assessment of those in need of care by the medical service of the health insurance companies. When it comes to care level 1 services, the services should focus on prevention. The discussion was, for example, about no longer providing certain assistance in everyday life beyond the actual care. Now care levels 1 to 3 should be assigned more precisely. In general, prevention and rehabilitation should be strengthened.
Postponing the repayment of federal loans and leaner administration are also expected to save millions.
What are those affected spared?
In contrast to what was originally planned, nursing care insurance continues to fully cover the pension insurance contributions for caring relatives. The coalition has dropped a planned time extension for surcharges for costs in the home. Originally, the individual levels of these relief surcharges, which increase with the length of stay, were supposed to take effect later - this should save 2.6 billion euros. But now these surcharges are to increase further for a stay of twelve months.
From 2029 there will be an annual increase in nursing care insurance contributions based on inflation. According to the current plans, private insurance will not initially be used for financial participation, contrary to what was requested by the SPD. The black-red coalition has postponed this point of contention.
What else is planned?
From July 1, 2027, proposals from a care structure commission are to be implemented. The committee is due to be set up next week. A spokesman for Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) emphasized that the key thing was to make care “fairer” through fundamental reforms.
The coalition is also likely to continue to concern itself with home costs - as well as a possible care cap, as demanded by the SPD. Linnemann announced that, among other things, the subsidies for the costs for people in nursing homes should be made more social. This could mean that, with the help of relief subsidies, home costs will be reduced more for those who are less well-off than for people with more money. Here - and on other points - things are likely to get exciting in the Commission.
Possible financial compensation mechanisms for care should reportedly be examined both within and outside of long-term care insurance. Linnemann announced a plan “that should make nursing fit for the 1930s.” As society ages, more and more people are expected to need care. In addition, salaries in the industry have increased. That's why billions in costs are expected to continue to rise.
What improvements should there be?
The right to a “Check-up 60+” is intended to identify health risks and stresses at an early stage for insured people aged 60 and over. A central online access (“care cockpit”) is intended to bundle everything that those affected need for care. Acute short-term care places and better offers in emergency situations should be created. According to Linnemann, the government also wants to “do something” for families with children in need of care; She and friends recognized by the fund could use a budget of around 3,600 euros per year.
