(de-news.net) – Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has announced “fundamental and bold” structural reforms for social insurance but vowed to initially stabilize struggling health and long-term care insurance by the use of federal funds. He acknowledged the urgent need for stabilization, emphasizing that long-term solutions cannot rely solely on increasing tax revenues. Klingbeil referred to the coalition agreement, which calls for experts to develop comprehensive reforms. Previously, Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) had demanded substantial financial support to improve the insurance systems and prevent further premium increases, as both sectors are facing significant deficits.

Klingbeil stressed that hardworking individuals should be able to rely on a strong welfare state and urged creative solutions beyond extending working years or cutting healthcare services. He also defended Labor Minister Bärbel Bas’s (SPD) proposal to include civil servants in the statutory pension system, advocating for an open debate on pension contributions.