Pension: How retirees can save money with private health insurance
Created: 01/12/2023, 10:35 p.m
By: Lisa Mayerhofer
Pensioners with private health insurance often have to pay high contributions.
But there are some tips you can use to save money.
(symbol photo) © Westend61/Imago
Premiums for private health insurance have been increasing for years.
This affects pensioners in particular, as their contribution is not adjusted to the lower income in retirement.
Munich – There were increases in contributions at the turn of the year not only in the statutory health insurance companies (GKV).
Contributions to private health insurance companies (PKV) have been increasing for years.
Private health insurance is becoming more and more expensive, especially for retirees.
Because unlike the statutory health insurance, the contribution is not adjusted to the lower income as a pensioner with private health insurance.
Those affected then quickly feel patronized when there are increases – and think they are stuck.
Because: Switching to statutory health insurance is very difficult for pensioners.
From the age of 60, the statutory surcharge of ten percent on the health insurance contribution does not apply.
This money was saved for additional retirement provisions and is intended to reduce increases in contributions in old age.
Nevertheless, privately insured pensioners often have to pay high contributions.
But there are some tips you can use to save money.
Application for subsidy for private health insurance
Anyone who receives a statutory pension can apply for a subsidy for private health insurance from the German pension insurance.
In 2022, the subsidy was almost eight percent of the pension - but may not exceed half of the health insurance contribution.
The surcharge is tax-free, but is not paid out automatically and must be applied for.
Changing tariffs can be worthwhile
In addition, it is worthwhile for pensioners who are struggling with high private health insurance contracts to make use of their right to change tariffs internally, to which long-term privately insured persons are entitled.
Because there could be cheaper options, especially for people who have had the same health insurance tariff for a long time.
Before switching tariffs, however, you should read the fine print carefully – especially with regard to deductibles.
Advice can help many of those affected - this is offered, for example, by the consumer advice centers.
Important: Insurance companies may not refuse a tariff change.
They are even obliged to present alternatives.
Check additional tariffs
Another option for pensioners in private health insurance: cancel expensive additional tariffs – but before doing so, you should carefully weigh up whether you actually no longer need them.
Insurance expert and author Dieter Homburg advises taking a close look at the risk premiums for illnesses that the insured person may no longer have.
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save taxes
Homburg also points out that the contributions to private health insurance can be claimed for tax purposes.
According to the expert, the greatest potential can be exploited if the rotation of the contributions is also optimized - towards an annual payment.
Because: A monthly payment not only limits the tax refund - the insured also miss out on the benefits that are offered by most insurers for the annual payment, according to Homburg.
Change to the standard tariff
For those who are still financially overburdened by the private health insurance contributions, the way from the normal to the standard tariff is still open.
The contributions are low, especially for long-term insurers and, according to
Welt
, average 390 euros a month.
However, the insured then have to accept limitations in the benefits: The standard tariff is roughly based on the benefits of the GKV, but can also be worse.
