As the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) reports, the planned increase in the contribution assessment ceiling would affect around 6.3 million employees and their employers. According to the calculations, this could result in additional burdens of up to 4.5 billion euros. However, the additional revenues do not solve the actual problem of the social insurance systems, according to the IW.
According to the IW, the measure primarily affects employees with higher incomes who are above the current contribution assessment ceiling. This ceiling determines up to which income social insurance contributions must be paid. An increase would mean that more income becomes subject to contributions, leading to higher levies for both employees and companies.
The institute's calculations show that the planned increase would have significant financial impacts. It is emphasized that the additional revenues do not address the structural challenges of the social insurance systems. Rather, they could be perceived as a short-term solution without sustainably tackling long-term problems such as demographic change or rising expenditures.
Thus, the planned increase in the contribution assessment ceiling affects a significant number of employees and companies. The IW analysis underscores that such measures must be carefully weighed to avoid unintended burdens. Overall, the debate on financing social insurance remains current, with experts pointing to the need for more comprehensive reforms.
