Contributors will have to prepare for a further increase in nursing care insurance contributions at the beginning of 2025.

Like the DAK, the Association of Replacement Funds NRW (VdEK) also expects an increase at the turn of the year. “The nursing care funds assume that the financial resources in the first quarter of 2025 will total less than one month’s expenditure. In this case, the federal government may increase the contribution rate by ordinance,” explained the “Rheinische Post” association. “According to current data, ensuring the solvency of the entire system will probably require an increase in the contribution rate at the beginning of 2025.”

DAK CEO Andreas Storm made similar statements at the beginning of April. He spoke of the need to increase the contribution rate probably at the turn of the year – “according to the current calculations by around two tenths of the contribution rate”. The independent advisory board of the Stability Council also expects higher health insurance contributions. Advisory board chairman Thiess Büttner recently predicted an increase in social security contributions next year by at least half a percentage point.

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) made it clear on Monday that he no longer sees a chance of nursing care reform in this election period – even though the number of people in need of care is increasing massively. The contribution rate is currently 3.4 percent of gross income, and 4 percent for those without children. Employees and employers pay half of the contribution – excluding the childless allowance – i.e. 1.7 percent each.