The German Artists’ Social Security Fund (Künstlersozialkasse, for short KSK), founded in 1982, is a German institution that provides self-employed artists and publicists with access to statutory social security. It offers these professional groups health, long-term care, and pension insurance coverage similar to that provided to employees – but without requiring them to bear the full costs themselves. KSK members pay only half of the contributions, while the KSK covers the remaining costs.

This coverage is provided by a 20% government subsidy and a 30% contribution from the so-called artists’ social security levy. The latter is paid by companies that commission artistic or journalistic services. For example, companies that hire an artist pay 4.2% of the net fee to the KSK. The artist’s monthly contribution is determined individually based on their income.

Artists as defined by the KSK

The concept of art is broad and not easily defined. As a result, it is often unclear who qualifies as an artist and who does not. For the German Social Security Fund for Artists (KSK), however, the term encompasses far more than just classic professions like singers or journalists. It also includes creative professions such as web designers, advertising professionals, and influencers. According to the Federal Social Court (BSG), an activity is considered creative if the individual contributes independently and significantly to the success of a contract for work and services (BSG, judgment of May 12, 2005, case no. B3 KR 39/04). This definition could include models, as their photos or videos, often published in cooperation with companies, contribute to the success of advertising campaigns. Whether this occurs independently with free expression of creativity is questionable, however, since most jobs are preceded by a detailed briefing. There is no clear legal precedent on this matter, so each case must be decided individually.

Since the KSK’s artist catalog does not yet include the classic model as eligible for insurance, we advise our newcomer models to voluntarily join a statutory health insurance scheme until the focus of their work has developed, so that entry into the KSK can be made possible at a later date.

You can find more information on the website of the Künstlersozialkasse.