Artists' Social Security Fund

The Artists' Social Insurance Fund (German: Künstlersozialkasse - short: KSK) is an instrument that operates within the framework of the Artists' Social Insurance Act (KSVG). It ensures that people from creative professions, whose income can fluctuate considerably, enjoy similar social security protection as regular employees. It offers them access to the benefits of statutory pension, long-term care and health insurance. However, accident insurance is not included.

The Artists' Social Security Fund also provides people with regulated access to social benefits who work creatively and therefore often have to cope with fluctuating incomes. Thanks to the KSK, they are entitled to the full range of statutory benefits. They only have to pay a contribution rate of 50% themselves.

The remainder of the contribution is divided as follows:

• Subsidy from the federal government (20 %)
• Social security contributions from companies that distribute or exploit art and journalism (30%)

The KSK coordinates these payments, allocates the respective contribution subsidy and can therefore also be described as an equalization association.

The artists' social security contribution rate is therefore only 50% and is therefore dependent on income. Unlike other insurances, there are no fixed premiums.

The tasks of the KSK are basically divided into the following two areas:

• Verification: The Artists' Social Security Fund is responsible for verifying that artists and publicists belong to the group of persons subject to compulsory insurance. In other words, it determines who is eligible to claim its benefits. Once this process has been completed, the KSK determines the start, scope and (if necessary) end of compulsory insurance.
• Collection: The Artists' Social Security Fund is authorized to collect the respective contributions. These include the share of the insured persons, the artists' social security contribution of the respective companies and the federal government subsidy.

The Artists' Social Security Fund is only there to register the artists and publicists concerned with the health and long-term care insurance funds and to forward the outstanding contributions to the respective competent bodies. However, the respective institutions are solely responsible for providing insurance benefits.

In order to be eligible for KSK benefits, certain conditions must be met. These are regulated in § 1 of the Artists' Social Insurance Act. The basic requirement is that an artistic or journalistic activity must be carried out for gain. And not just temporarily.

Who is an artist or publicist is also precisely defined:

• Artist: someone who creates, practices or teaches music, performing or visual arts. This also includes the profession of model.
• Publicist: Someone who works as a writer, journalist or in a similar capacity. Teachers of journalism are also eligible.

The KSK checks whether a person is eligible to receive its benefits by means of a questionnaire and evidence to be submitted.

If you are unsure whether you can also apply to the Artists' Social Security Fund, then you have found the right contact point with Jobwork. We provide you with all the information you need on this special topic.

Is the Artists' Social Security Fund an independent service provider?

No, the Artists' Social Security Fund is not an independent insurance fund. It merely coordinates the payment of its members' contributions to a statutory pension and long-term care insurance scheme or to a health insurance scheme of their choice.

Can the KSK also be used below the marginal earnings threshold?

No, the KSK cannot generally be used if your income is below the marginal earnings threshold of EUR 3,900 per year. The only exception is for new entrants to the profession. Here, a phase of three years after taking up a corresponding job for the first time currently applies.

What benefits does the KSK offer?

The KSK provides insurance cover for its members in the areas of health insurance, long-term care insurance and pension insurance.

What are the advantages of the artists' social insurance fund for artists?

The KSK gives self-employed artists access to social security, which they would not normally receive directly as freelancers.

What happens if I do not register with the KSK?

Failure to register can have legal consequences. It is important to register correctly and in good time with the Artists' Social Security Fund.