Reduced pension payout
Due to higher health insurance contributions: less pension from March
Pensioners walk through Leipzig city center. Higher health insurance contributions will take effect from March
© Jan Woitas/dpa
Numerous health insurance companies increased their additional contributions at the beginning of the year. This determination is the responsibility of each fund individually. However, pensioners only experience the effects of this increase with a certain delay.
This article first appeared on NTV.de
The additional health insurance contribution increased at the beginning of the year, but the pension payment increased in January was the same as last year? This is because this increase only takes effect two months later for pensioners with statutory insurance. The German Pension Insurance Federation points this out.
For them, the additional contribution only increases in March, which means that the monthly pension payment only decreases from then on. This is required by law. If the health insurance contribution changes, this will only be reflected in the pension two months later, both in the case of reductions and increases.
Those affected can see that the pension payment changes due to the health insurance contribution on their bank statement. The pension insurance only sends written notifications in exceptional cases, for example if the pension is transferred to another person’s account.
Most retirees have statutory health insurance
The additional contribution is in addition to the general contribution rate set by law and can vary greatly from fund to fund – for 2024 it is 1.7 percent. But each health insurance company can decide for itself on the actual amount.
Most retirees are insured by a statutory health insurance company. The amount of your contributions depends on your income. What matters, however, is whether they are voluntarily or compulsorily insured. Compulsory insurance can be significantly cheaper for pensioners than voluntary insurance. In principle, anyone who has been insured with a statutory health insurance company or family for 90 percent of the second half of their working life is allowed to take part in pensioners’ health insurance (KVDR).
Unlike those who are voluntarily legally insured in retirement, pensioners with the corresponding status do not have to pay a minimum contribution that is independent of the pension amount and do not have to pay health insurance contributions on income from assets, renting and leasing. The same applies to benefits from life insurance, Riester or Rürup pensions, a pension from a private pension insurance or a pension from statutory accident insurance.
Watch the video: Annette Illenberger enjoys the advantages of owning her own house, including cleaning service, lots of sun and good food. She pays for all of this from her German pension – but not in Germany, but in a retirement village in Cape Town, South Africa.