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Health Insurance for Retirees: GKV or PKV – A Neutral System Comparison

With retirement, new questions about healthcare often arise. Given rising healthcare costs, the decision between Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) and Private Health Insurance (PKV) for retirees is of great importance. This article examines the fundamental differences between the two systems, analyzes their contribution structures and benefit scopes for retirees, and compares the mechanisms for contribution development in old age.

1. Basics: The Systems in Comparison

The Solidarity Principle of GKV: GKV is based on the solidarity principle. Contributions are collected based on income, while benefits are granted according to need. In the pay-as-you-go system, current contributions are used directly to finance current healthcare costs; no individual age reserves are formed. The system is thus directly dependent on demographic development.
The Equivalence Principle of PKV: PKV follows the equivalence principle. Contributions and benefits are based on an individual, risk-based contract. In the funded system, a portion of the contribution is saved as an age reserve to finance age-related rising healthcare costs and stabilize contributions in old age.

2. Contributions in Retirement: A Detailed Look

The costs of health insurance in retirement are calculated differently in both systems.

A. Contributions to GKV for Retirees

In GKV, retirees continue to pay contributions based on their income.

Assessment Basis: For retirees subject to mandatory insurance (KVdR), contributions are levied on the statutory pension, company pensions, and other benefit payments up to the contribution assessment ceiling (BBG). For voluntarily insured retirees, interest and rental income may also be considered.
Contribution Rates 2025: The general contribution rate is 14.6%, plus a projected average additional contribution of 2.5%. For long-term care insurance, the rate is 3.4% (4.0% for those without children).
GKV Maximum Contribution: The monthly GKV maximum contribution will be approximately €1,218 (childless) or approximately €1,184 (with children) in 2025. An increase to approximately €1,250 is expected for 2026.
Subsidy from Pension Insurance: Retirees receive a subsidy from pension insurance towards their health insurance contributions.

B. Contributions to PKV for Retirees

In PKV, pension income does not affect the contribution assessment. Contribution stability in old age is supported by various mechanisms.

Age Reserves: A significant portion of the contribution is saved from the outset to offset age-related rising healthcare costs. At the end of 2023, the PKV industry managed around €328 billion for this purpose.
Contribution-Reducing Factors in Old Age:
- Abolition of the statutory 10% surcharge: This surcharge for additional capital formation is levied from ages 21 to 60 and is then abolished.
- Abolition of daily sickness allowance insurance: Upon retirement, the contribution for daily sickness allowance insurance generally ceases.
- Contribution reduction tariffs: Insured individuals can voluntarily make additional provisions to specifically reduce their contributions in old age.
- Tariff change right (§ 204 VVG): Insured individuals have a legal right to change tariffs within their company, with age reserves being maintained.
- Basic tariff: As a social safety net, the basic tariff offers GKV-like benefits. The contribution is capped at the GKV maximum contribution and can be reduced if help is needed.
Subsidy from Pension Insurance: PKV-insured retirees also receive a subsidy from statutory pension insurance. For 2025, this amounts to 8.55% of their statutory pension (limited to half of the actual PKV contribution).

3. Benefits in Old Age: GKV vs. PKV

GKV Benefits: The scope of benefits is legally defined in the Social Code Book V (SGB V) and is subject to the principle of economy. In some areas (e.g., dental prosthetics beyond the standard provision, visual aids for adults), co-payments or private supplementary insurance are common.
PKV Benefits: The scope of benefits is individually guaranteed by contract in the chosen tariff and cannot be unilaterally reduced by the insurer. Depending on the tariff, benefits that go beyond the GKV standard can be insured.

4. Return to GKV for Retirees: Possibilities and Limits

Returning from PKV to GKV is generally not possible for individuals who have reached the age of 55. The decision for a system is therefore often a long-term one. Furthermore, a change results in the largely loss of accumulated age reserves.

5. Recommendations for Retirees

Choosing the right insurance coverage in old age is a very personal decision.

Checklist for Your Decision:

Current Insurance Status: Which system are you insured in? Returning to GKV is hardly possible from the age of 55.
Financial Situation in Retirement: What are your total income sources? Consider the different assessment bases in GKV and PKV.
Desired Scope of Benefits: Which medical benefits are particularly important to you in old age?
Long-Term Contribution Stability: Which financing mechanism (pay-as-you-go vs. funded) do you prefer for your planning?

6. Summary

Health insurance in retirement is shaped by the fundamental system differences between GKV and PKV.

GKV is based on the solidarity principle with income-dependent contributions. Contributions are levied on various types of income in old age.
PKV follows the equivalence principle with a funded system, which aims for contribution stability in old age through age reserves. Contributions are independent of retirement income.

Both systems face challenges from demographic change and medical progress. A well-informed decision requires careful consideration of your personal situation.

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Health Insurance for Retirees: GKV or PKV – Which is Better in Old Age?