A statutory insurance system that protects citizens against major life risks such as illness, unemployment, old age, and the need for long-term care. In Germany, it typically includes health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, accident insurance, and long-term care insurance.
example
Jeder Arbeitnehmer in Deutschland zahlt monatliche Beiträge in die Sozialversicherung.
Every employee in Germany pays monthly contributions into the social security system.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'sozial' (social) and 'Versicherung' (insurance). So it literally describes insurance for the social risks of life.
EXAMPLE
Die Beiträge für die Sozialversicherung werden direkt vom Gehalt abgezogen.
Social security contributions are deducted directly from the salary.
The five pillars
The 'Sozialversicherung' (social security system) is an umbrella term for five individual types of insurance: health, pension, unemployment, long-term care, and accident insurance. These are often referred to as the 'fünf Säulen' (five pillars) of the system.
EXAMPLE
Durch meine Anstellung bin ich in allen Zweigen der Sozialversicherung versichert.
Through my employment, I am insured in all branches of the social security system.
Typical verbs
In connection with 'Sozialversicherung' (social security), German often uses the verbs 'einzahlen' (to pay in) and 'beitragen' (to contribute). You pay contributions into the social security system or make contributions to social security.
EXAMPLE
Arbeitgeber und Arbeitnehmer zahlen beide in die Sozialversicherung ein.
Employers and employees both pay into the social security system.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
Sozialversicherung vs Versicherung
insurance / assurance
'die Versicherung' and 'die Sozialversicherung' both have to do with protection against financial risks. 'die Versicherung' is a general term and can be a private policy that you take out yourself. 'die Sozialversicherung', on the other hand, is a statutory system. It protects people, for example, in cases of illness, unemployment, need for long-term care, or old age. The words can be confused because social security is also a form of insurance. For an individual private policy, you usually say 'Versicherung'. For the statutory system with contributions from employees and employers, you say 'Sozialversicherung'.
Sozialversicherung
Für die Anmeldung im neuen Job braucht Mehmet seine Nummer der Sozialversicherung.
To register for the new job, Mehmet needs his social security number.
Versicherung
Am Morgen rief die Lehrerin bei ihrer Versicherung an, weil ihr Fahrrad gestohlen wurde.
In the morning, the teacher called her insurance company because her bicycle had been stolen.
