Sparen, wenn das Geld gerade so zum Leben reicht: Das Risiko des Abbruchs privater Altersvorsorge unter den Rahmenbedingungen von Riester-Förderung und Sozialgesetzbuch II

Abstract

Abstract In Germany, supplementary old-age provision has become important for persons covered by the statutory pension insurance scheme. To promote private provision especially of low-earners the state provides financial support within the framework of the ‘Riester pension’. Furthermore, the Social Code II ensures that the majority of persons claiming basic income support for needy jobseekers do not have to use their private old-age savings for maintaining a livelihood. This study analyses to what extent these measures have helped stabilise the saving processes in low income groups. Based on the third wave of the household survey PASS we find that the protection rules in the Social Code II have so far played a rather minor role. Decreasing incomes, however, turn out to be of great importance for cancelling old-age pension contributions. Moreover, there is circumstantial evidence that the Riester subsidy particularly enables persons with low income to continue saving for retirement. Zusammenfassung Durch d...