Question 11
Who pays social security in Germany?
German original: Wer bezahlt in Deutschland die Sozialversicherungen?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- Employers and employees — Correct answer
- only employees
- all nationals
- only employers
Explanation
Social insurance is financed jointly by employers and employees. Both pay approximately half of the contributions for health, pension, long-term care, and unemployment insurance.
Key terms in this question
- Germany — Germany is a country in central Europe with a parliamentary democracy. It is a member of the European Union and its capital is Berlin.
- Federal state — A federal state is one of the 16 regions that together form Germany. Each state has its own government, parliament, and areas of responsibility.
- paid — Something is paid when money has been given in exchange for a service or product. The amount owed has already been handed over or transferred.
- social — 'Social' describes everything related to people living together and supporting each other in a society. Social institutions or services help people who are in need.
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.
- himself / herself / itself / themselves / oneself — A reflexive pronoun used when the subject and object of a verb refer to the same person or thing (e.g., 'Er wäscht sich' = 'He washes himself'). It is used with reflexive verbs in German.
- safe / secure — Safe or secure means there is no danger or risk present. Something or someone is protected and nothing bad can happen.
- social insurance — Social insurance is a state system that provides financial protection to people in cases of illness, unemployment, old age, or accidents. In Germany, most employees are automatically enrolled and pay regular contributions.