Germany clarifies care‑insurance contributions for retirees and caregivers

Retirees in Germany’s statutory long‑term care insurance must pay a contribution of 3.6 % of their pension, with an additional 0.6 % surcharge for child‑less persons born after 1939. Pensioned civil servants receive a reduced rate of half the normal contribution, and contributions are deducted together with health‑insurance premiums. A free‑threshold of €197.75 per month applies to mandatory contributors and to occupational pensions before contributions are levied.

Caregivers of relatives often miss out on pension contributions because they assume a questionnaire from the care fund is required. In fact, the insurance obligation starts automatically when care begins. Missing contributions can be reclaimed retroactively from the date the care‑level application was filed, potentially adding €7‑37 to the monthly pension for each year of recognised care, with monthly care‑fund payments ranging up to €730.