They say that they can no longer afford to lose money every year and therefore have no choice but to take unpopular measures. The aging of Germany's population makes matters worse, because the elderly need more medical treatment and retirees pay lower premiums. The steady rise in unemployment also contributes to diminishing revenues and rising expenditures, because people without jobs or on welfare are exempt or pay only symbolic amounts.
尤其近幾年來德國人口老化，上了年紀的人看病機會多，退休者繳的保費又少，加上失業率節節上漲，靠失業或社會救濟生活的人可以免繳或只繳象徵性的一點金額，導致「進帳少，支出多」。