Old-age poverty: European countries expropriate pension savers

– How political decisions lead to impoverishment –   Poverty in old age is increasingly being taken up by the media as an issue. However, this phenomenon is homemade, and it seems to have even been accepted. After all, it has been ongoing political decisions for more than 20 years that have reduced the statutory […]

ECJ: Tax advice to residents by foreign consultants

In its ruling of 17.12.2015 (Case C-342/14), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that foreign tax consulting companies are authorised to provide tax advice in Germany. According to the Advocate General’s opinion to the ECJ, this requires “the recognition of the company and the appointment of its management bodies as tax advisors” (StB) – […]

Foreign life, pension and health insurance: Opportunities and risks for insurance companies and insurance brokers

Foreign insurance companies, especially those from the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Union (EU) are increasingly competing with domestic providers. For insurance intermediaries and insurance customers, this creates risks, but also opportunities. In private health insurance we see only the beginning of a development here. EEA and EU insurers must obtain a certificate […]

Drying up of life insurance – too few investment options for too much money

– Why life insurance has outlived its usefulness as a capital accumulation vehicle –   Wim Duisenberg, ex-president of the ECB, when asked how he invests his money: “Personally, I’m in the fortunate position of having no reserves.”   Statistically, up to more than 80 million German citizens own more than one life insurance policy. […]

Choice of law and advantages of European life, pensions and health insurance

– Opportunities and risks for policyholders and their insurance brokers –   Foreign insurance companies, especially those from the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Union (EU), are increasingly competing with domestic suppliers. For insurance intermediaries and insurance customers, this creates risks, but also opportunities.   Regular notification procedure EEA and EU insurers must […]

Insolvency law

Insolvency is rarely a disgrace Insolvencies of large and small companies are almost part of the daily news agenda. Terms likeinsolvency practitioner, reorganization, creditor or insolvency proceedings are familiar to everyone. However, we know from practice in our firm that very few people are aware of the exact meaning of a insolvency or insolvency proceeding. […]

When are insurers no longer obliged to pay benefits or can reduce benefits?

– Liability traps and gaps in coverage in the daily sickness benefit insurance – In its ruling of July 6, 2016 (Case No. IV ZR 44/15), the Federal Court of Justice decided that regulations in the model terms and conditions (Section 4 IV MB/KT 2009) which regulated a compulsory reduction of the insured daily sickness […]

Invalid transactions with insurance buyers

– How the Federal Court of Justice legally and legitimately saves the insurers the additional payment(s) – Financial service providers, consultants and intermediaries, are looking for customers so that they receive more money from their contractual partner – a life insurance company (VR). However, these insurance buyers have great difficulties in developing legally secure business […]

Blackboard papers guarantee tax exemption – or tax evasion-deluxe until the end of 2016

– Which loopholes the legislator still allows the investor tax-free – For decades it has been customary for many investors to store their securities in effective certificates in a safe deposit box. For the older generation, the reason is a war experience, so that, if necessary, one can pick up bonds and shares at any […]