In response to the enormous financial deficits within the long-term care insurance system, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is planning reforms that will lead to increased financial burdens, particularly for childless individuals.
According to information gathered from coalition circles, Warken’s proposed overhaul includes raising the contribution surcharge for people without children by 0.1 percentage points, bringing it up to 0.7%. Consequently, insured individuals aged 23 and older who do not have children would be required to pay a total contribution rate of 4.3%. For those who do have children, the rates would remain at the current levels of 3.6% (one child), 3.35% (two children), or 3.1% (three children).
Warken estimates that the long-term care insurance system will face total deficits exceeding 22 billion euros over the next two years, a figure significantly higher than previously anticipated.
In addition to changing the surcharge structure, Warken is known to intend to cut subsidies covering private portions of nursing home costs, tighten the conditions required to access long-term care benefits, and raise contributions for high earners. These plans are currently being discussed within the government during the early coordination phase, and specific details have not yet been made public.
