Pension Concerns in Germany: Determinants and Normative Implications

However, the occupational and private pension coverage of certain parts of the population, such as low earners, is well below the national average. The present study examines how individuals perceive the issue of old-age pensions, analysing data from the German Socio-Economic Panel to determine how concern about future pension entitlements is distributed among the population. The results show that women, tenants, divorcees and people with relatively low incomes are more likely to be concerned about their pension coverage than their peers in other groups. In addition, those enrolled in an occupational pension scheme are less likely to experience anxiety on this account. While the new government’s coalition agreement includes the possibility of making financial planning for retirement compulsory, albeit with an opt-out clause, the empirical findings presented here suggest that it would be more advisable to focus on those parts of the population facing a high risk of old-age poverty and concentrating on fostering adequate pension provision there.