Klingbeil rejects forgiveness for the financially prosperous
Social Security Contributions to Remain Steady Despite Pressure
In the wake of rising social security contributions on pay slips across the nation, Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has affirmed his commitment to maintaining steady contributions for both employees and businesses. The SPD is currently advocating for tax reforms.
"The increase in social security contributions poses a problem for both employees and businesses, as they are left with less disposable income and higher wage costs respectively," Klingbeil told "Bild am Sonntag." Emphasizing the need for stability, he stated, "That's why we have to stabilize the contributions."
The minister's concern centers primarily on the contributions to health and long-term care insurance, which face the risk of sudden additions. For now, these increases can temporarily be offset by increased subsidies from the budget, but Klingbeil considers this a short-term solution. "The finance minister cannot be constantly relied upon for more funds," he said. "We need structural reforms to permanently stabilize the contributions."
Regarding the planned tax reform of the black-red coalition, Klingbeil expressed opposition to relieving high earners. "It is not fair if people like me receive more relief than a supermarket cashier," he commented. "Those who earn as much as I do do not need relief from the state. I am thinking of the hardworking individuals with low and middle incomes."
In the forthcoming budgets, Klingbeil's primary focus lies in stimulating growth and job security. To achieve this, he aims to reduce energy prices and increase investments by means of super-depreciation. As the SPD leader, Klingbeil has announced his intention to revamp his party, acknowledging that their 16.4% election result served as a call for change. "Our party felt too focused on citizens' money and not enough on working citizens," he stated.
Sources: ntv.de, rog/AFP
- Social Systems
- Lars Klingbeil
- SPD
- Pension Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Long-term Care Insurance
Background Information:The German government has recently been involved in discussions and enactment of reforms concerning labor law and social security. The coalition agreement contains plans to tackle issues such as "sham self-employment" and maintain pension sustainability, although these do not specifically address reducing social security contributions for high earners. The government has primarily focused on broader social security and pension reforms, but details pertaining to specific tax reforms for high earners have not been found in the available sources.
- Lars Klingbeil, the Federal Finance Minister, has emphasized the need for stability in social security contributions, expressing concern about potential additions to contributions for health and long-term care insurance.
- In an effort to stimulate growth and job security, Klingbeil plans to reduce energy prices and increase investments by means of super-depreciation, as part of his focus on social systems.
- Klingbeil, as leader of the SPD, has announced his intention to revamp his party, acknowledging that their 16.4% election result served as a call for change, particularly in terms of focusing more on working citizens rather than just citizens' money.
- Regarding the planned tax reform of the black-red coalition, Klingbeil has expressed opposition to relieving high earners, arguing that it's not fair for them to receive more relief than lower-income individuals like a supermarket cashier.
