The five pillars of social security. The social security system in Germany protects citizens in times of need and provides support during periods of transition. It ensures participation, integration and social stability. Its five central pillars are:Pension insuranceHealth insuranceLong-term care insuranceUnemployment insuranceAccident insuranceIn addition, employment promotion, labour law, housing benefits, social assistance and benefits for families, as well as rehabilitation, are part of the social safety net in Germany.Social security in a changing societyModern societies are constantly changing – and with them the demands placed on the welfare state. The following factors are currently having a particularly significant impact:AI, digitalisation and new working modelsDeindustrialisation and economic transformationStructural change and increasing skill requirements in the labour marketDemographic change and skills shortagesInflation and fears of social declineGlobal crises and geopolitical realignmentsArtificial intelligence and digitalisation offer opportunities, but can also exacerbate social risks. For the social security system to function, it must be continuously adapted to new economic, technological, geopolitical and social conditions.The challenges are considerable: financing issues, distributive justice, security of supply, quality of services and questions of social participation are at the centre of political debate and occupy reform commissions.The future of social security in GermanyThe future design of social security presents politicians, academics and society with far-reaching strategic decisions. The focus is on the following questions, among others:Is the German pension system fair to all generations and sufficiently adapted to changes in the world of work?How can the rising demand for health and care be financed and met in the future?How can targeted prevention today avoid burdens in the future?How can we strengthen integration and thus make better use of the opportunities offered by immigration?How can social participation succeed in the face of rising prices and scarce resources?How can security and quality of care be guaranteed throughout Germany?The answers to these and other questions will determine the future of social security in Germany. Social Protection: A selection of our servicesSocial security model OCCURWe quantify the financial requirements and examine options for reforming social security using the OCCUR social security model. Whether complex overall concepts or individual components, we calculate the effects quickly and reliably.Microsimulation modelWith our microsimulation model, we can identify support requirements and distribution effects.Developing conceptsWe develop and evaluate supply concepts and model projects in the context of our evaluations and expert assessments.Strengthening organisationsWe support social security institutions in the process of their organisational investigation and development processes.InterdisciplinarityAs the social safety net in Germany is densely knit, we combine professional expertise from all of its subfields. Our work on this topic Take a look at our latest projects and activities. Living conditions of refugees with disabilities in Germany ongoing | Project How do refugees with disabilities live in Germany? And how can they find work? We are addressing these issues in a study for the German Red Cross. Read more Pension provision: Five ideas for higher pensions for women 2025 | Project On average, women receive significantly lower pensions than men. Our study for the GDV shows how they can strengthen their retirement provision. Read more The economic and social situation of the creative industries 2024 | Project On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Prognos and partner analysed the economic and social situation of self-employed solo artists in creative professions. Read more Long-term care financing scenarios 2024 | Project Higher numbers of care-dependent persons and increasing costs - our aging population is putting long-term care insurance to the test. A new analysis shows what the future financial require-ments will be. Read more Presentation of the study on the economic and social situation in the cultural and creative industries 15. October 2024 | Event The results of our study on the economic and social situation of solo self-employed and hybrid workers in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) will be presented at the event. Read more The invisible value of care work 2024 | Expertise 72 billion hours: That is how many unpaid care work hours are performed in Germany, annually, by women. In a new paper, we show the value of unpaid care work and how unevenly it is dis-tributed between men and women. Read more Regional purchasing power of pensions 2023 | Project Where in Germany is retirement particularly cheap and where has it become more expensive than average? Prognos examined this for the German Insurance Industry Association. Read more Pension at 63 – Quo vadis? 2023 | Project Retiring at 63 is very popular. In 2021 alone, more than 270,000 people took the option of early retirement. These were the findings of our study for the INSM. Read more Inflation – extra burden and relief for family households 2022 | Project Calculations on inflation-related additional private household expenditure and the work of the Federal Government's relief package. Read more No generational conflict: Young and old are primarily looking for security. 2022 | Project Study compares “boomers” and Generation Z: high need for security for young and old alike. Read more The impact of corona testing on the economy and health care 2022 | Project Corona tests are designed to help reduce the incidence of infection. Prognos has now quantified the benefits of testing on the economy and health care. Read more 40+x? Social contributions in focus 2021 | Project Due to demographic aging in Germany, social security contributions will rise to 46% by 2040. These were the findings of our calculations for the INSM. Read more Wage income developments 2025 2020 | Project If German economic productivity increases, not every individual benefits to the same extent. These are the results of our study commissioned by the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Read more Effects of the statutory minimum wage on pension development 2020 | Project Does the statutory minimum wage have an influence on pension development and individual pension entitlements? Prognos investigated this on behalf of the Minimum Wage Commission. Read more Care Perspective. Reorientation of the elderly care profession 2019 | Project The annual expenditure of social long-term care insurance will continue to increase in the coming decades according to the results of a Prognos study for the Bertelsmann Foundation. Read more Integration: Strengthen cooperation between districts, associated municipalities & cities 2019 | Project For the Robert Bosch Foundation, Prognos conducted a workshop with integration stakeholders from districts, municipalities, and cities. Read more The change of long-term care 2019 | Project Prognos examined approaches to the further development of care professions and the prospects for the financing of the social long-term care insurance (SPV) up to the year 2050. Read more Germany Report 2025|2035|2045 2018 | Project Germany will become more global, more digital, greener and older in the next 30 years. This is shown by Prognos Deutschland Report from 2018/2019. Read more Calculation tool turns users into 'pension ministers' 2018 | Project What are the financial implications of possible changes in the pension system? With the virtual calculation tool ‘Pension Minister’ central levers of pension insurance can be operated. Read more A reliable intergenerational contract? 2018 | Project The Federal Government’s planned pension package would lead to significant additional expenditure on pension insurance and to permanent increases in pension contribution rates. These are the results of our study conducted on behalf of the INSM. Read more Women & retirement provision 2018 | Project A stronger employment orientation for women can help to stabilise the public pension system – while also benefitting their own financial position in old age. Read more Future Family Report 2030 2016 | Project This expert report looks at various scenarios. It shows that continued development of family policy has a positive impact on the economy as a whole. Read more Pension Perspectives 2040 2015 | Project How high the pensions will be for a typical employee depends, among other things, on the occupation and the place of residence. This is the result of recent research by Prognos for GDV. Read more Do you have questions? Your contact at Prognos Dr Oliver Ehrentraut Partner, Director, Head of Economics Division View profile About us We combine economic research and strategy consulting for sustainable decisions in politics, business and society. Our robust data, precise analyses and scientifically based findings enable fact-based progress – financially independent, politically neutral. Learn more
