German tax law (§ 10 EStG) lets you put part of your income into a certified basic pension (Basisrente) that invests in ETFs. Your contributions reduce your taxable income — the refund goes back into your ETFs.
Every euro in a normal ETF plan has already been taxed at your top rate before it reaches the market.
Their apps sell ETF savings plans — not the tax-deductible wrapper that sits around them.
Without a plan, the deduction room for a certified pension simply goes unused every year.
Both options cost you the same from your net salary each month.
| Without | With benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| Into ETF a month | €500 | €862 |
| After 10 years | €81,448 | €132,971 |
| Without | With benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| Into ETF a month | €500 | €862 |
| After 10 years | €81,493 | €133,043 |
| Without | With benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| Into ETF a month | €500 | €862 |
| After 10 years | €82,033 | €133,912 |
With benefit: contract costs 1% p.a. plus fund TER. Example funds, not a recommendation.
The rate on the last euro you earn. More income, higher rate.
You could have
+€122,842
more at 67 than a normal ETF plan, after tax
*Examples at a 42% marginal income-tax rate (excl. solidarity surcharge and church tax), 6% return p.a. before costs, contract costs 1.0% p.a. incl. ETF vs 0.2% for a normal ETF plan, 25% average tax rate in retirement, 26.375% capital gains tax with 30% partial exemption on the normal ETF plan. The refund comes once a year with the tax return. Examples, not a recommendation and not tax advice. TRB München are financial consultants (§34d GewO) working within TELIS FINANZ AG, not tax advisors.
Your monthly contribution goes into a certified Basisrente that invests in ETFs.
Contributions reduce your taxable income — the refund comes with your annual tax return.
Your ETFs grow until retirement. The pension is taxed later, usually at a lower rate.
Real people, real results from independent financial consulting – and clarity on what to do next.
Our tax consultant initially estimated around €140. With Aditya's financial consultation and support in communicating with our tax consultant, we now expect around €9,000 — with quick, proactive guidance focused on what we were entitled to.
Before
Their tax advisor estimated a refund of around €140
After
Around €9,000 expected – after a full financial review with Aditya
Finally structure in my finances – explained clearly and implemented consistently.
Before
Finances scattered across accounts and providers
After
Clear structure, explained and implemented
Honest, independent advice – I now know exactly what my money works for.
Before
Unclear what my money was actually achieving
After
Independent advice with full transparency
@wanderess_priyanka
Clear financial advice without selling pressure – now I can make a sound decision.
Before
Uncertainty in important financial decisions
After
Clear overview and informed decisions
We are independent financial consultants (§34d GewO), not tax advisors. Individual results – results vary.
Paid out as a lifelong pension from age 62 — no lump-sum withdrawal.
No surrender value — only a surviving spouse/children can be covered.
The pension is taxed in retirement (taxable portion rises to 100% for pensions starting 2058+).
The contract can be continued or made premium-free — we check your case.
That's why we compare it with your other options in the call — it's not right for everyone.
We check your personal tax rate and remaining deduction room.
Basisrente-ETF vs normal ETF plan vs bAV for your situation.
You get your personal calculation as PDF afterwards.
Yes. § 10 EStG explicitly allows contributions to a certified basic pension (Basisrente, § 5a AltZertG) to be deducted as retirement expenses. It is a state-designed incentive, not a loophole.
In 2026 up to €29,985.60 per person (double for married couples) counts as retirement expenses — minus what you already pay into the statutory pension. Use the deduction-room check in the calculator for a first estimate.
Once a year with your income tax return. Many clients reinvest the refund into the contract or keep it as a buffer.
The contract can usually be continued or made premium-free. How payouts are taxed then depends on your new country of residence — we check your case in the call.
A surviving spouse or children (with child benefit eligibility) can be covered by a survivor's pension. Beyond that it is not inheritable — that's part of the trade-off.
Depending on the provider, broad index funds such as MSCI World, FTSE All-World or S&P 500 are available, plus many others. We compare the fund lists and costs for you.
Nothing. The 15-minute call is without obligation.
15 minutes, your numbers, an honest comparison — and a clear yes or no.
*Examples at a 42% marginal income-tax rate (excl. solidarity surcharge and church tax), 6% return p.a. before costs, contract costs 1.0% p.a. incl. ETF vs 0.2% for a normal ETF plan, 25% average tax rate in retirement, 26.375% capital gains tax with 30% partial exemption on the normal ETF plan. The refund comes once a year with the tax return. Examples, not a recommendation and not tax advice. TRB München are financial consultants (§34d GewO) working within TELIS FINANZ AG, not tax advisors.