Overview
- From 1 January 2026, new calculation values apply: the contribution ceiling in pension and unemployment insurance rises to €8,450 per month and in health and long‑term care insurance to €5,812.50, with the statutory health insurance income threshold set at €6,450 per month.
- Higher earners face lower take‑home pay because more income is subject to contributions, with examples indicating roughly €30–€40 in additional monthly deductions depending on which ceilings are exceeded.
- The government’s draft to replace Bürgergeld with a rebranded Grundsicherungsgeld would require able‑bodied recipients to use full working capacity and accept full‑time work, targeting childless adults first, though the proposal is not enacted and may face legal scrutiny.
- No automatic increase to Pflegegeld occurs in 2026, the 2025 rates remain in place, and the monthly €131 relief amount plus the combined €3,539 annual budget for respite and short‑term care continue.
- Wohngeld continues to be calculated by local rent levels rather than flat size caps, with one‑person rent limits ranging from €361 to €677 by Mietenstufe, and a reported €1,800 income exemption may apply per eligible household member with severe disability or care needs.