According to Finance Minister Christian Lindner, there should be a zero round of citizens’ money next year. The standard rate rose sharply on January 1st of this year, said the FDP politician on the ZDF program “Maybrit Illner”.
“I say it has risen disproportionately because when it was set, a completely different inflation rate was assumed for January 2024.” According to his expectations, the consequence will be that there will be a zero round on January 1, 2025 “in order to incorporate the disproportionate increase again.”
At the beginning of the year, citizens’ money increased by an average of around twelve percent compared to 2023. For single people, this means an increase of 61 to 563 euros per month. Adults who live with a partner receive 506 euros. For children and young people, the rates are between 357 and 471 euros, depending on age.
The reason for the increase is the increased cost of living, which is taken into account when calculating the standard rates. The standard rate for citizens’ money is adjusted annually to prices and wages and also takes inflation into account.
Lindner recently called for the method for calculating citizens’ money to be reviewed so that inflation is not overestimated.
