KÜNSTLERSOZIALKASSE / KSK
The legislator wanted to secure the economic existence of creative people by founding the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) in 1983.
Following this , the Künstlersozialversicherungsgesetz (KSVG) – or artists’ social security act – offers self-employed artists and publicists social security support, dealing with old-age pensions, health insurance and nursing care insurance.
YOUR BENEFIT AS AN ARTIST
The Künstlersozialkasse, or in short KSK, is not a health insurance or a service provider in itself but offers independent artists and publicists financial support in the areas of:
- pension
- health-care
- nursing care
Similar to being an employee, eligible individuals will only have to pay half of the usual insurance premiums. In short this means the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) covers 50 % of a member’s contributions for pension schemes, health insurance and nursing care insurance.
The KSK will verify that the individual is in fact affiliated with an occupational group that is subject to insurance deductions. You can read more about the occupational groups under “Prerequisites” above.
The amount of the insured person’s monthly contributions is calculated as a percentage (50% of the contribution rates for health insurance, care and pension) of the expected annual earned income. (operating income – operating expenses).
For example:
With an annual income of 10,000 euros, the monthly contribution for health, nursing care and pension insurance for insured persons is approximately 160 euros.
The benefits of joining the KSK are therefore clear, especially for those working in creative professions. For more questions or information regarding the KSK please use our contact form or get in touch with us directly using our phone number or e-mail.
PREREQUISITES
In order to be eligible for support from the KSK, the following criteria must be met:
- The individual must be a self-employed artist or publicist and carry out his or her work not just on a temporary basis.
- According to Section 2 of the KSVG (Artists’ Social Security Act) an artist is someone “who creates, performs or teaches music, performing or visual arts. A publicist is anyone who works as a writer, journalist or in any other way as a journalist or teaches journalism”.
- Additionally, this work must be carried out largely within Germany.
- Generally, individuals who – similar to entrepreneurs – employ more than one employee, are not eligible
- nor are those who do not earn a minimum annual income of €3,900
If you would like to know if you fulfill the requirements please get in touch using our contact form or directly via our phone number or e-mail.