Family expert Michaela Kreyenfeld argues that due to the German federal government’s emphasis on austerity measures, crucial social topics are being sidelined. Speaking to the Mediengruppe Bayern, the sociology professor at the Hertie School of Governance stated that even existing social supports are being “scrutinized more intensely”.
Kreyenfeld points to current benefits, such as tax-free supplementary insurance for non-working spouses, and the system of spousal splitting as prime examples. She notes that both mechanisms share a similar issue: they primarily support specific family models, particularly dual-income couples with highly divided professional roles.
In contrast, she argues that other family structures benefit much less. For instance, she highlights the struggle of mothers with small children who are solely responsible for care following separation or divorce. These individuals, she explains, are forced to finance their health insurance privately and receive no advantage from spousal splitting.
This leads Kreyenfeld to question the inherent fairness of current regulations. She asks whether all groups are truly benefiting, noting that even married couples whose children are already grown often remain underrepresented beneficiaries.
Furthermore, she advises that while existing rules enjoy a degree of protection, any planned changes are often accompanied by cuts for the affected individuals. Therefore, she stresses that the overall distributional impact of any policy measure must be carefully considered.
