– 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. […]
Artikel zum Thema: Low interest rate
Stress test by financial regulator leads life insurance company into insolvency
– What are the scenarios of settlement in insurance due to low interest rates ? – Customers of life insurers are shaken: on 16.12.2014, the business press reported that a Swiss life insurer had now filed for insolvency, and had become a victim of low interest rates. The 13,000 policies were taken over by […]
How retirement income and pension increases can be designed at an early stage
In the last up to more than 35 years, people’s parties have more than halved the statutory net pension level. The cost of an equally high funded pension in safe government bonds has approximately tripled as a result of political decisions. subscribers of Basic income support – most of which is not applied for by […]
Save taxes on capital payments under the company pension scheme (bAV), severance payments and after active partial retirement
– How to design more retirement income and pension increases early on ? “He who does not work should not eat” (Franz Müntefering, 09.05.2006) In the last up to more than 35 years, people’s parties have more than halved the statutory net pension level. The cost of an equally high funded pension in […]
Why private basic pensions often lead to losses for policyholders
A marketing expert remarked: “The best marketing agency is in Berlin – that is, the government”. First came the Riester pension with subsidised allowances, then the increasingly tax-deductible basic pension – also known as the Rürup pension. One financial services provider said: “The shift from state to private retirement provision is a growth market for […]
Occupational pension schemes do not prevent poverty in old age
– How will the severance pay for company pension schemes (bAV) be subsidised from 01.07.2016? – As of July 1, 2016, the severance payment of pension commitments on occupational pension schemes will be classified as pension benefits by the umbrella organisations of the social security system, Section 229 SGB V. This means that neither unemployment […]
Additional financing of company pension schemes (bAV) subject to wage tax
When do employees face a double insolvency risk with occupational pension schemes and additional tax burdens? The subject of the BMF letter of 6 December 2017 (IV C 5 – S 2333/17/10002; DOK 2017/0989084) is, among other things, also the future treatment of incorrectly structured company pension scheme (bAV): Accordingly, special payments by the employer […]
Lawyer warns against occupational pension liability cases due to mini interest
In a letter dated 28 September 2017, the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) dealt with the future treatment of incorrectly designed contracts for occupational pension schemes (bAV). According to this, special payments by the employer in the event of calculation errors by the occupational pension scheme provider are liable to pay wage tax for employees. […]
Occupational pension provision – to be used with caution
The Federal Minister of Finance (BMF, letter dated 28.09.2017 – draft dated 04.10.2017) announced the future treatment of incorrectly structured occupational pension schemes (bAV): According to this, special payments by the employer in the event of calculation errors by the provider are liable to pay income tax for employees. Employers and employees are thus doubly […]
Is the Riester pension really safe?
If the Federal Council does not yet apply the emergency brake, the Occupational Pensions Reinforcement Act will enter into force on 1 January 2018. In this context, the Riester pension will also be upgraded. During the savings phase, the basic allowance increases from 154 to 175 euros per year. For company Riester pensions, the SV […]