Das Altersvorsorge-Verhalten von Selbständigen - eine Analyse auf Basis der SAVE-Daten

Since about ¾ of all self-employed are not secured by a mandatory pension plan, the question arises to what extent old-age poverty could become a problem for them. Therefore, a detailed study of how the self-employed save for their retirement seems necessary. The SAVE panel of 2005-2008 offers a new and so far unexploited data basis to assess the capability, willingness, as well as the level of old-age provision of this group of people. The analyses show, that the majority of self-employed has the necessary funds for adequate old-age provision. However, at least 11% of the households with a self-employed main earner are not able to save an amount large enough to ensure an old age income of a sufficient level. Households with a self-employed main earner save more on average than those with an employed main earner. However, they still save less on average in the lower income classes than employed main earners, despite the fact that the employees already have their social security contributions deducted. The net wealth of households with self-employed main earners (without considering social security wealth) is on average three times the size of the net wealth of employees. Yet, private old-age provision products contribute only slightly more than 4% to net wealth. In the age class over 55, 26% of self-employed households are not able to raise the funds that guarantee an old age income above the poverty level. It should be noted that social security as well as behavioural changes before retirement could not be considered in the analyses.