German Politician Urges Higher Insurance Contributions for High-Earners
The designated Secretary General of the German Social Democratic Party, Tim Klüssendorf, has called for a significant increase in insurance contributions for high-earners and skilled workers. In an interview with Bild am Sonntag, Klüssendorf emphasized the need for a more substantial contribution structure, citing his own salary as a Bundestag member, which is €11,227 per month.
Currently, the maximum contribution limit for health insurance is €5,512 per month and for pension insurance, it is €8,050 per month. Klüssendorf believes that the contribution limits should be adjusted in a way that does not create significant injustice, stating that he would not fix a specific number, but rather advocate for a direction of increase.
Notably, Klüssendorf expressed opposition to cutting benefits for insured individuals due to cost concerns, saying, “I would talk about that as a last resort.” His proposal aims to address the financial struggles of many statutory health insurance funds, while also ensuring that high-earners contribute a fair share to the system.