As of: February 2, 2024, 10:25 a.m
By: Philipp Bräuner
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Press
Split
There is a lot of discussion about social policy ideas, such as an unconditional basic income.
A foundation is now getting serious and giving away 20,000 euros to young people.
Frankfurt – If you don’t inherit, you’ve already lost?
Things are probably not that simple.
However, there is likely to be a consensus that inherited wealth makes the start in life easier.
Its importance can be seen not least in the discussions surrounding the campaign by BASF heiress Marlene Engelhorn, who has announced that she wants to give away her assets.
While there has been rather hesitant discussion about this at the political level, the “An Inheritance for Everyone” foundation is taking the matter into its own hands.
And raffle off a basic inheritance of 20,000 euros each.
According to the foundation, the amount is distributed across Germany three times a year.
In three cities that were also drawn beforehand.
In 2023 these were Frankfurt am Main (West district), the city of Wuppertal and the Aachen city region.
A basic inheritance of 20,000 euros for young people is subject to conditions
For the year 2024, three young people will once again be awarded the basic inheritance, says foundation board member Christoph Prüm.
Financing has been clarified for both 2024 and 2025.
The cities would probably be picked out in May.
“The raffle in the cities will probably follow at some point in the fall,” says Prüm.
The “A Heritage for Everyone” foundation is giving away 20,000 euros to young people.
© IMAGO/Ok Shu
If it is clear where the potential new heirs may come from, then those interested can apply for the draw.
In addition to one of the three places of residence still to be drawn, there are further participation criteria from the foundation:
Participants must have their 30th birthday in 2024, so only those born in 1994.
Previously, applicants must not have inherited anything or not more than the value of 3,000 euros.
Whoever wins is obliged to invest the basic inheritance and to let the investment rest for a total of three years.
They also have to come to the foundation for an interview once a year to document the impact of the project.
Only those who appear at the draw in person can win.
Institute for Economic Research: Basic inheritance could be financed through taxes
The “An Inheritance for Everyone” foundation is by no means the only institution that considers a basic inheritance of 20,000 euros to be realistic.
For example, the economist Stefan Bach from the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) dared to make such an advance in 2021.
According to his calculations, such a basic inheritance would cost the state around 15 billion euros annually.
His proposal for financing: higher taxes on high wealth.
(pkb)