German social security system

The German social security system is a comprehensive social security system that aims to protect and support employees in Germany in various life situations. It is based on the principle of solidarity, where employees, employers and the state jointly contribute to the financing and functioning of the system.

The German social security system is divided into different branches, each covering specific areas of social security. The five main branches are:

1. statutory health insurance (GKV):

• Health insurance: SHI covers the costs of medical treatment, hospitalisation, medication and other medical services.
• Preventive services: Insured persons are entitled to preventive medical check-ups and vaccinations for the early detection of diseases.
• Maternity benefits: Pregnant women receive financial support and maternity leave to prepare for the birth and care of the newborn.
• Rehabilitation measures: SHI offers rehabilitation programmes for insured persons who need to recover or restore their health.
• Sickness benefits: Employees who are unable to work due to illness receive sickness benefit as income replacement.

2. statutory pension insurance (GRV):

• Old-age pension: The GRV pays monthly old-age pensions to ensure the livelihood of pensioners in old age.
• Reduced earning capacity pension: People who can no longer work due to health problems receive reduced earning capacity pensions.
• Survivors' pension: Survivors of deceased insured persons are entitled to a survivor's pension.
• Rehab benefits: The SPS supports insured persons in restoring their ability to work through rehabilitation measures.
• Child-raising periods: Parents receive pension points for bringing up their children, which affects their pension entitlement.

3. unemployment insurance (ALV):

• Unemployment benefit 1: Unemployed persons receive unemployment benefit I to secure their livelihood while they are actively looking for work.
• Further training measures: The ALV promotes continuing vocational training for the unemployed to improve their chances on the labour market.
• Placement in work: Employment agencies place unemployed people in vacancies and offer support in finding a job.
• Unemployment benefit II (Hartz IV): People who cannot support themselves receive financial assistance.
• Short-time allowance: Employees whose working hours are temporarily reduced receive short-time allowance as income compensation.

4. long-term care insurance (PV):

• Care allowance: Persons who are cared for at home receive care allowance as financial support.
• Care benefits in kind: The PV covers the costs of professional care aids and services.
• Day and night care: People in need of care are entitled to day and night care in care facilities.
• Short-term care: PV supports temporary inpatient care when home care is temporarily not possible.
• Long-term care counselling: The PV offers counselling and support for persons in need of long-term care and their relatives.

5. statutory accident insurance (GUV):

• Injury pension: In case of permanent impairments as a result of an occupational accident or disease, an injury pension is paid.
• Treatment: The UV covers the costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation after occupational accidents.
• Injury benefit: During incapacity for work after an accident, insured persons receive injury benefit.
• Survivors' benefits: The surviving dependants of insured persons who have suffered a fatal accident receive support.
• Benefits for participation in working life: The UV promotes reintegration into working life after an accident.

Function of the German social security system:

The German social security system functions on a pay-as-you-go basis, where the contributions of the active population are used to finance the benefits of pensioners and other insured persons. It is based on the principle of solidarity, where the strong support the weak.

Employees, employers and the state jointly contribute to the financing of social insurance. Contributions are income-related, which means that people with higher incomes pay more.

The different branches of social insurance provide protection and support in different life situations. The GKV provides health care, the GRV grants pension benefits in old age, the ALV helps jobseekers, the PV supports those in need of care, and the GUV offers protection in the event of accidents at work.

Overall, the German social security system contributes to the social security of citizens and guarantees a certain standard of living, even in difficult life situations. Financing through contributions and the solidarity-based community help to alleviate the financial burden in times of crisis and promote social justice.