Reducing social costs by the rehabilitation system in Germany: rehabilitation, prevention and the role of employers

Retaining and restoring employability and work capacity of the employees is a major goal in the German social security system and an important means to reduce social costs. The main tool to achieve this is rehabilitation. The “rehabilitation system” constitutes an important part of the overall German social security system. This article gives an overview of the German rehabilitation system, its main goals and characteristics. Special attention is paid to the question of prevention and the role of employers