The Federal Cabinet has launched the care reform by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
This means that care contributions will increase from July.
It will be particularly expensive for pensioners.
Berlin – The cabinet has decided on the care reform of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD).
From July 1, 2023, care contributions are to increase by between 0.35 and 0.6 percent.
Those in need of care should receive more money for this: the relief surcharges for nursing home residents should increase from 2024, and there should also be five percent more care allowance.
Contributions increase the most for childless people
For those without children, the care contribution increases from 3.4 to 4 percent, which is the largest increase in the reform.
Parents pay different contributions depending on the number of children: with one child it is 3.4 percent, with two children 3.25 percent, with three children only 3.1 percent and with more than four children 2.95 percent.
But - and this is where older people in particular are worse off - the relief only applies as long as the children are under 25 years of age.
Millions of senior citizens whose children are grown up will not feel any of the relief contributions for parents and will pay 3.4 percent.
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Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach has initiated a care reform (archive photo)
© Stefan Boness/Imago
However, employees share the care contribution with their employers.
This is not the case for pensioners, on the other hand: they pay the full rate themselves. That is why the care reform will particularly hurt those who have to pay both parts.
This applies not only to pensioners but also to the self-employed.
Some examples of how this works:
gross salary | care contribution (old) | care contribution (new) |
|---|---|---|
1000 Euro | 30.5 euros | 34 euros |
1500 Euro | 45.75 euros | 51 euros |
2000 Euro | 61 euros | 68 euros |
2500 euros | 76.25 euros | 85 euros |
For childless pensioners, the care contributions are even higher and will be 4 percent from July 2023.
With a pension of 1500 euros, the contribution is already 60 euros.
Care reform must now go through the Bundestag
After the cabinet has approved the care reform, the next step is for it to be passed by the Bundestag.
Changes to the law are therefore still possible if the majorities within the traffic light coalition are not sufficient.
List of rubrics: © Stefan Boness/Imago