The massive increase of real estate prices in some regions of Germany is a direct consequence of the ongoing financial and debt crisis. Low interest rates and high inflation expectations increase the demand for real estate. In addition to a potential price bubble risk, social problems arouse...

Increasing work incentives for people with low incomes is a common topic in the policy debate across European countries. The "Mini-Job" reform in Germany -- introduced on April 1, 2003 -- can be seen in line with these policies, exempting labour income below a certain threshold from taxes and...

Since 2002 the German government has promoted private retirement saving plans by means of special subsidies and tax incentives (Riester scheme). This policy mainly targets low-income households. Using data from the German Socio-economic Panel, we scrutinize the impact of the Riester scheme on...

Im Land Bremen ist die Anzahl der Personen, die trotz eigenem Erwerbseinkommen auf Leistungen der Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende angewiesen sind - die sogenannten Aufstocker(innen) - in den vergangenen Jahren konstant gestiegen. Vor allem wenn Kinder zu versorgen sind, reicht das Einkommen...