CDU Politician Proposes Lowering Income Threshold for Children’s Contribution to Parental Care Costs

Current Rules and Financial Pressure

The proposal comes amid chronic financial strain on Germany’s statutory long-term care insurance system. Even after a 0.2 percentage point contribution increase at the start of 2025, the care funds remain under severe pressure.

Stegemann warned that without action, contribution rates could rise significantly. “Wenn wir nichts tun, steigen die Beiträge bis 2030 von 3,6 auf 4,6 Prozent, für Kinderlose in Richtung 5,5 Prozent,” he said.

The CDU politician had already stirred debate earlier in the week by demanding that homeowners should also be required to use their property to cover care costs before the community pays. “Ein Erbenschutzprogramm auf Kosten der Allgemeinheit kann es nicht geben: Wer Vermögen besitzt, muss zunächst eigenes Vermögen einsetzen, auch das Eigenheim, bevor die Gemeinschaft zahlt,” he told Bild.

Controversy Over Homeowner Assets

In the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, Stegemann doubled down on his stance. “Die Formulierung ist tatsächlich sehr überspitzt, aber ich muss sie gar nicht zurücknehmen,” he said, acknowledging the provocative phrasing but refusing to retract it.

He argued that loopholes allowing people to shield assets must be closed. “Wir müssen an diese Umgehungstatbestände ran, ob beim Eigenheim oder anderem Vermögen,” Stegemann demanded.

The politician expressed concern about what he sees as a decline in family responsibility. “Ich habe das Gefühl, dass sich die Familienverantwortung in den letzten Jahren immer weiter zurückentwickelt hat,” he said.

Stegemann linked the issue to the future viability of Germany’s social model. “Wir werden unsere soziale Marktwirtschaft und unsere sozialen Sicherungssysteme in Zukunft jedoch nur aufrechterhalten können, wenn wir dieses Thema wieder mehr in den Fokus stellen,” he stated.

International Comparisons and Reform Outlook

He pointed to practices in other countries as a comparison. “In anderen Ländern ist es übrigens vollkommen normal, dass für die Pflege zunächst die Familie finanziell herangezogen wird, sofern sie dazu in der Lage ist. Wir haben in Deutschland sehr großzügige Regelungen, um den Patienten sozusagen in den Staatskostenapparat zu schieben,” Stegemann said.

Federal Health Minister Nina Warken, also of the CDU, has announced a reform concept for the long-term care insurance system, but it remains unclear when she will present it. The ministry has not yet set a date for the proposal.

The financial difficulties in the care sector have become chronic. The latest contribution increase of 0.2 percentage points at the beginning of 2025 has not been enough to stabilize the system, and further measures are widely expected to be necessary.