A German pensioner who provoked outrage after it emerged he was getting more than 1,900 euros (US$2,224) a month in welfare benefits while living on a palm-fringed beach in Florida was told on Thursday night that the good life was over.
Germany's welfare ministry confirmed that the 64-year-old -- nicknamed Florida Rolf by German tabloids -- would not be eligible for benefits from next year. Payments would only carry on if he returned to Germany, officials said.
The case has caused uproar as the country's leader, Gerhard Schroeder, tries to reform the welfare system and grapples with a large hole in the country's public finances.
Last month it emerged that the German state was paying benefits to Florida Rolf which included 875 euros a month towards the rent on his Miami Beach apartment, as well as 730 euros a month in living costs and 146 euros for his cleaner. German welfare officials had earlier tried to reduce the bill.
But the pensioner -- identified only as Rolf J -- hired a lawyer who argued that he should not be obliged to go back to Germany, as this would mean he would not be able to see his friends any more and might become depressed.
A court in Lower Saxony accepted the argument and ordered the state to continue the payments.
Officials discovered that 1,055 other Germans in 83 countries were also claiming benefits. The bill came to 5.5 million euros.
However, Germany's Social Democrat welfare minister, Ulla Schmidt, said that the law would be changed. Only German expatriates who had a long-term illness or were in prison could get benefits.
The others would have to return home if they wanted to receive the money, she said.
German officials said the change in the law would come into effect next April, and Florida Rolf would continue to receive benefits for another three months after that. If he failed to return to Germany, the benefits would then stop.
"We will still have to pay for Florida Rolf's return ticket to Germany," said a spokeswoman from social welfare ministry.
"And if he gets depressed, we would pay for psychological treatment -- but only if he comes back."
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