Care reform
The pension will be reduced for this group
Updated June 5, 2026 – 8:34 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
In order to achieve savings of 1.8 billion euros in 2027, the government plans to reduce the pensions of caring relatives by reforming nursing care insurance. According to current law, the nursing care fund pays pension contributions for people who care for one or more relatives for ten hours a week, spread over two days a week. This is intended to support relatives if they are unable to work as much or at all due to caring for a relative. In order to receive pension benefits, they are allowed to work a maximum of 30 hours per week.
Reform of nursing care insurance: nursing care fund pays contributions into the pension fund
From 2027, according to plans in Warken’s nursing care reform, the amount of contributions that the nursing care fund pays into the pension fund for caring relatives will be significantly reduced, according to plans in Warken’s nursing care insurance reform. To date, the nursing care fund has determined pension contributions based on a legally defined, fictitious income. This calculation income is to be reduced by 30 percent from 2027. The pension you can expect later also decreases accordingly. However, the new regulation for long-term care insurance should only apply to pension claims that are collected from 2027. All claims accumulated up to that point should remain unaffected by the new regulation.
Warken’s care reform: Less pension for carers from 2027
You can see what the new regulation in Warken’s nursing care insurance reform should look like in comparison to the old one here:
| Pension contribution when receiving care allowance (TODAY) | …when purchasing combined power (TODAY) | ….when receiving benefits in kind (TODAY) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care level 2 | 27% of the reference value | 22.05% of the reference value | 18.9% of the reference value |
| Care level 3 | 43% of the reference value | 36.55% of the reference value | 30.1% of the reference value |
| Care level 4 | 70% of the reference value | 59.5% of the reference value | 49% of the reference value |
| Care level 5 | 100% of the reference value | 85% of the reference value | 70% of the reference value |
| Pension contribution when receiving care allowance (from 2027) | …when purchasing combined service (from 2027) | ….when receiving benefits in kind (from 2027) | |
| Care level 2 | 18.9% of the reference value | 16.065% of the reference value | 13.23% of the reference value |
| Care level 3 | 30.1% of the reference value | 25.585% of the reference value | 21.07% of the reference value |
| Care level 4 | 49% of the reference value | 41.65% of the reference value | 34.3% of the reference value |
| Care level 5 | 70% of the reference value | 59.5% of the reference value | 49% of the reference value |
The reference figure is the fictitious income that is assumed for the caring relatives. It is adjusted annually and depends on the average income of the insured. In 2026 the monthly reference amount is 3,955 euros. Anyone who cares for a person with care level 5 today and receives care allowance will have the full 3,955 euros used as fictitious income. Of this, the nursing care fund pays pension contributions of 18.6 percent. That’s 735 euros per month.
From 2027, this person’s fictitious income will be reduced to 70 percent of the reference figure. This corresponds to 2,768.50 euros. Of this, 18.6 percent are 515 euros per month.
