In his 30 years with Caritas in Miesbach, debt counselor Michael Schütz supported 5000 people.
Now the social worker is retiring - and looks back for us.
Miesbach
- A moving box full of unopened letters, pensioners who can no longer go to the doctor, angry ex-partners.
Michael Schütz (64) has experienced a lot in his 30 years of advising Caritas on debt.
The social worker has been helping people in debt since 1990 or accompanying them through personal bankruptcy for several years.
He has supported more than 5000 people during this time.
Now the Miesbacher is retiring.
Mr. Schütz, why do people get into debt?
Michael Schütz:
There are three big reasons for this.
On the one hand, divorce and separation.
When a family breaks up, one parent, usually the husband, has to pay maintenance or finance two apartments.
Job losses are also an important issue.
It is particularly difficult for people over 55 to find another job.
The third big issue is failed self-employment.
Those affected cannot support these reasons. Are there people who simply buy too much or are addicted?
Michael Schütz:
That also plays a role.
In around a quarter of the cases, what we call inappropriate consumer behavior is behind this.
Then the spending behavior does not match the income.
But in many cases the debts arise from maintenance payments, claims from the tax office or from health insurance companies.
Also read: More and more cases in the addiction clinic of Caritas Miesbach
Why is someone in debt to the health insurance company?
Michael Schütz:
Some who have no income and live on savings, for example, forget that they still have to pay for health insurance.
Private health insurance is also problematic.
Especially in old age, privately insured people have to pay extraordinarily high contributions.
The state only partially pays the costs.
It's a difficult story in old age.
Around a third of our clients seek help because of health insurance debts.
Often these are high sums of 60,000 to 70,000 euros.
How do you help?
Michael Schütz:
First of all, let's look at the income situation.
This also includes social benefit entitlements such as unemployment benefits.
Then we look at the expenditure side: rent, loan installments, mobile phone contracts or insurance.
Then we check what can be reduced.
Have you already had to go through mountains of unopened letters?
Michael Schütz:
Yes, unfortunately that often happens.
Letters are sometimes not opened for years, especially when people are mentally ill.
This is precisely what creates very high debts.
We once had an extreme case: someone had a moving box full of closed letters.
How is your relationship with the clients? Do you always understand?
Michael Schütz:
80 percent of the clients are okay.
20 percent is a bit complicated, but that's why we are also trained social workers.
Breakups are often difficult.
Those affected often have aggression towards their former partner.
What cases are you concerned about?
Michael Schütz:
It is always particularly bad when someone loses their property.
Especially if it was owned by the family for a long time before.
Or older people who are privately insured and can no longer actually go to the doctor.
Such cases also haunt me in my spare time.
Do debtors have reservations about you?
Michael Schütz:
Some people are afraid that we will wash their heads.
But many know themselves that they didn't do everything right.
It is of no use to blame someone for that too.
We try to show them a constructive way out of debt.
What has changed during your career?
Michael Schütz:
In the 1990s, the dealers themselves were more often the creditors.
Today debt collection companies mostly collect the money.
After 14 days, the dealers pass the problem on to these companies.
In addition, it has only been possible since 1999 to get rid of debts through personal bankruptcy.
Before that, the family, relatives or people from the circle of friends were more willing to borrow money or give a grant.
Have you already experienced relapses?
Michael Schütz:
Overall, we have a 95 percent success rate in insolvency proceedings in Miesbach.
But generally around 15 to 20 percent of our clients come a second time.
Sometimes this is also family-related.
There are families where I know the parents and now also the grown-up children.
This is socially inherited, so to speak.
Which case do you remember most?
Michael Schütz:
I remember the first insolvency case well.
There are also clients who have been writing me a Christmas card for 15 years because they are so happy that they got through it all.
Much is coming back.
