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Top Economic Adviser Urges Higher Taxes on Business Heirs, Tougher Health-Cost Measures

She argues current inheritance rules favor company assets over financial wealth.

Overview

  • Monika Schnitzer, chair of the German Council of Economic Experts, said taxing firm heirs more would improve equity.
  • She expects the Federal Constitutional Court to revise preferential treatment for inherited business assets next year.
  • To restrain health spending, she proposes higher patient co-payments and a streamlined practice fee collected by insurers.
  • She warns statutory contributions could trend toward 25% and calls for cutting non‑evidence-based benefits such as homeopathy.
  • Cost pressures are already visible, with Verivox counting 31 funds announcing higher supplemental rates, including TK to 2.69% and DAK to 3.2%.