As of July 1st, some changes came into force that also affect the finances.
The most important innovations from this month - and what they mean for the wallet.
Consumers, take note: many new features from this month also have an impact on the wallet.
Here is an overview of the
most important changes and new regulations since July 1, 2021
- from the pension to the minimum wage:
Pension increases in East Germany: zero round in West Germany
East German pensioners can look forward to a minimal increase in pensions. As of July 1st,
pensions in East Germany rose
by 0.72 percent.
Pensioners in West Germany
however, do not receive an increase in their salary *.
The reason is the corona pandemic, which is having a negative impact on wage developments.
This is the basis for the annual pension adjustment.
According to the gross wages and salaries of the previous year reported by the Federal Statistical Office, the pension values should actually fall.
The so-called pension guarantee in the West German federal states ensures that the pensions are still not reduced.
The increase in the east pension value corresponds to the east-west alignment provided for by law.
The current pension value, which is decisive for the new federal states, thus rises to 33.47 euros.
For the western German federal states, the pension value will then still be 34.19 euros.
You can also read
: Early retirement with a part-time job: Why it could be worthwhile in 2021
Basic pension beckons to the first low-wage earners
More than half a year after the introduction of the
basic pension
, the first pensioners should soon have the premium paid into their account.
The
first notifications to new retirees
could be sent in
July
, according to a report by the German Press Agency (dpa) at the end of June.
Overall, the pension insurance wants to
check
seven to eight million pensioners this year
, whether they get the premium
, reported dpa.
The whole procedure is therefore carried out step by step:
by the end of 2022
, all 26 million pensions are to be checked.
Find out more about the right of low-income earners to the basic pension and when the money should be paid out to those affected
.
Also read:
Unemployment counts for retirement - but there is one condition.
Minimum wage rises to 9.60 euros
On July 1st, the statutory
minimum wage rose by ten cents to EUR 9.60 per hour
.
The adjustment is part of a gradual increase: on January 1, 2022, the minimum wage will increase again to 9.82 euros and six months later to 10.45 euros.
Employers and trade union representatives negotiated these steps after a long dispute in the minimum wage commission, which according to the law has to set the future level of the
lower wage limit
every two years
.
On the recommendation of the commission, the federal government decided to increase.
Also read
: Tax return after short-time work: Does the tax shock follow with the decision?
KfW funding - new rules for home builders
Anyone who builds or renovates a house
and
wants
federal funding
for it
must comply with new rules from July 1st.
Then the new “Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings” (BEG) takes effect, replacing several programs of the Bank KfW and the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control.
This should make the funding more attractive.
In addition, only one application has to be submitted.
Mail order - higher costs outside the EU
Those who order
smaller goods
in
non-EU countries
such as the
USA
,
China
or
Switzerland
have to expect higher costs since July 1st.
Then the
import sales tax will
also be paid for items for which an exemption limit of 22 euros previously applied.
As with
VAT,
a rate of 19 percent
applies to many products in Germany
.
Seven percent are due for books.
For the actual duty, which is also levied, there is still an
exemption limit
of 150 euros.
(ahu) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
Source: dpa
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These seven tips will save you a lot of money in everyday life
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