# Bismarck's Social Insurance (1883)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1883-bismarck-s-social-insurance
Location: German Empire
Categories: main-event

In 1883 Germany introduced compulsory health insurance for workers, followed by accident insurance in 1884 and old-age and disability insurance in 1889. Bismarck wanted to win workers away from socialism. It was the world's first national social insurance system.

## Why it matters
It became a model for welfare states worldwide.

Ruler at the time: [Wilhelm I](https://germany-history.com/rulers/wilhelm-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Otto von Bismarck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_von_Bismarck)
- [Wikipedia – Welfare state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_state)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Otto von Bismarck](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Otto-von-Bismarck)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Welfare state](https://www.britannica.com/topic/welfare-state)