Retirement Planning

The state pension won't be enough. Your plan will be.

Germany's state pension replaces roughly 48% of the average income – before tax and health insurance. Whoever wants to keep their standard of living needs a private plan. We build yours: honestly calculated, tax-optimised, flexible enough for an international life.

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ETF-based options Non-tied comparison Tax effects included

The instruments

Which building block fits which life?

There is no "best product" – only the best combination for your situation, tax bracket and mobility.

Flexible & growth-oriented

ETF pension policy

Globally diversified ETFs inside an insurance wrapper: no capital gains tax during the term, only half the gains taxed at payout from age 62, optional lifelong annuity. We insist on low effective costs.

Save tax today

Basis pension (Rürup)

Contributions are fully tax-deductible up to the annual maximum – currently a good €29,000 (single) or double for joint filers. Powerful for freelancers and high earners – available as pure ETF versions.

Employer-boosted

Company pension (bAV)

Salary conversion saves taxes and social contributions; employers must add at least 15%. We check whether your company's scheme is good – or merely convenient for its provider.

Already have contracts?

We audit what you've got.

Old Riester, life or pension policies aren't automatically bad – but often expensive or poorly funded. We assess honestly: continue, freeze, sell or cancel. With numbers, not gut feeling.

Leaving Germany someday?

Portability, planned upfront.

Private policies continue wherever you live; bAV can be continued privately; state pension entitlements follow EU coordination or refund rules. Your mobility shapes our product choice from the start – not as an afterthought.

Our method

First the gap, then the product.

Calculate the pension gap: state entitlements, existing contracts, inflation and retirement taxes – realistically projected.
Set a sustainable saving rate with automatic dynamics for salary growth.
Combine the layers: tax relief today (Rürup/bAV) vs. flexibility tomorrow (ETF policy, portfolio).
Minimise costs: effective costs decide tens of thousands of euros of final wealth. We disclose them for every proposal.
Review regularly – new salary, family, self-employment or a property purchase all shift the plan.

67: We translate every saving rate into what it really means per month at retirement – after costs, inflation and tax.
0.x%: Costs compound too: one percentage point less in fees means a dramatically higher final sum over 30 years.
3+: offers compared per building block – across the market, not from one house.

Common questions

Retirement in Germany, honestly answered.

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Plain ETF portfolio or ETF pension policy – which is better?

Both have their place. A brokerage portfolio wins on flexibility and lowest cost; the policy wins on tax deferral, half-income taxation from 62 and lifelong annuities. From roughly 15–20 years of horizon the policy can come out ahead net of everything – we calculate your specific case.

How much should I save per month?

A common guideline is 10–15% of net income – but the honest answer comes from your personal gap calculation: measure first, then dose. Starting early with automatic increases beats finding the "perfect" rate.

Do German pension products make sense if I'll leave in 5 years?

Some do, some don't. Heavily subsidised products with German-residency strings (like Riester) usually don't; flexible ETF policies and portfolios travel well. Tell us your horizon – it's a core input, not a footnote.

What happens to my German state pension contributions if I move away?

Within the EU (and treaty countries), entitlements are coordinated and paid abroad at retirement. Some non-EU nationals can claim refunds after 24 months. We map your options before recommending how much private provision you need.

I'm self-employed – what replaces the employer pension?

Typically the combination of a Rürup pension (for the tax lever) plus an ETF policy or portfolio (for flexibility) – and before all that, insuring your ability to work, because it funds every plan.

Time is your biggest lever

Every earlier year counts twice.

Free retirement analysis: your gap, your options, a concrete plan – in plain English.

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