21.03.2025

Rürup Pension: Tax Benefits for Self-Employed and Freelancers

The Rürup Pension, also known as the basic pension, has established itself as a beacon of retirement provision for self-employed individuals and freelancers. Due to its significant tax advantages and adaptability to individual financial situations, it offers a tailored solution for those without access to mandatory pension insurance. This article highlights the tax benefits and explains why the Rürup Pension is particularly suitable for self-employed individuals lacking statutory pension coverage. Discover how this form of pension can secure your financial future.

Strategic Tax Benefits of the Basic Pension for Self-Employed Individuals

A financial advisor explains the tax benefits of the Rürup Pension.

The basic pension, known as the Rürup Pension, is a central tool for self-employed individuals and freelancers to optimize their retirement planning with attractive tax benefits. An in-depth analysis of the tax benefits of this form of retirement shows how strategically sensible decisions can lead to a significant reduction in tax burden.

One of the main attractions is the deductibility of extraordinary expenses. Contributions made to the basic pension can be declared as extraordinary expenses on the income tax return. This significantly reduces the taxable income and, consequently, the proportional tax obligations. In particular, in 2025, individuals can benefit from a maximum amount of up to 29,344 euros, while couples can deduct up to 58,688 euros. These generous limits offer particularly welcome relief to self-employed individuals who often declare high total incomes.

The flexibility in managing contributions represents another compelling advantage. Self-employed individuals often have irregular income, which makes it beneficial that the amount of contributions is variable and adaptable. In this way, taxpayers can offset weaker years with lower contributions and effectively redirect savings from better years towards pension provision.

In the subsequent payment phase, self-employed individuals also benefit from specific advantages. Under the assumption of deferred taxation, pension payments become taxable only upon reaching retirement age. The taxable portion of the pension increases by 0.5% each year until full taxation in 2058. This coincides with a period when many can benefit from a potentially lower tax rate, as taxable income in retirement is often lower.

Another notable feature of the basic pension is its asset protection. This ensures that the pension is securely protected long-term, regardless of state redistribution processes. Additionally, the basic pension provides a lifetime payment guarantee, ensuring financial security in old age. The protection in case of insolvency also proves advantageous, as rights during the accumulation phase are protected from creditors.

In summary, the basic pension is not only a means to reduce taxes during the working phase but also ensures stability in retirement. For self-employed individuals, this represents a strategically valuable combination of tax benefits and long-term financial security.

Foundation of Provision: Why the Rürup Pension Opens New Doors for Self-Employed Individuals

A financial advisor explains the tax benefits of the Rürup Pension.

The basic pension, better known as the Rürup Pension, has established itself as a particularly attractive element of retirement provision for self-employed individuals who do not contribute to the mandatory pension system. This group of professionals, who exclusively rely on their private provision, benefits from a range of unique advantages offered by the Rürup Pension.

The tax benefits of the Rürup Pension are an essential factor. The ability to deduct contributions as extraordinary expenses has a positive effect on taxable income. Particularly for self-employed individuals with high incomes, this leads to a significant reduction in the tax burden during the accumulation phase. This saving allows taxpayers to manage their retirement provision more flexibly and financially efficiently.

Another exceptional feature of the Rürup Pension is the flexibility of contribution payments. Unlike the mandatory pension system, there are no fixed minimum contributions, which means that self-employed individuals can adjust their payments to their current financial situation at any time. This creates an adaptability that can be invaluable, especially in a volatile business environment.

In addition, the Rürup Pension offers protection in the case of insolvency of the accumulated capital. In the event of financial turmoil, the assets in the Rürup Pension remain intact, as they are generally protected from seizures and insolvencies. This security provides a reassuring buffer, allowing self-employed individuals to have a future and current perspective for their retirement provision.

Moreover, the Rürup Pension offers peace of mind and stability, ensuring a lifetime pension. This ongoing source of income ensures long-term support in old age and is a reliable base to count on.

Finally, for many self-employed individuals, the Rürup Pension replaces the mandatory pension system, providing a sponsored, effective, and secure option for saving pension funds. Even though the pension must be taxed later on, this generally proves advantageous, as the personal tax rate in retirement is often lower than during the working phase.

Therefore, the Rürup Pension represents an ideal solution for self-employed individuals, particularly those with high income, to effectively and tax-favorably plan their retirement future. It offers tailored flexibility and security that go well beyond traditional models and constitute a smart alternative for self-employed retirement provision.

Frequently asked questions

The Rürup Pension, also known as the basic pension, is a tool for retirement planning, specifically catering to the needs of self-employed individuals and freelancers. It offers significant tax benefits, adaptability to individual financial situations, and serves as a suitable solution for those who do not have access to mandatory pension insurance.

The Rürup Pension offers tax benefits such as the deductibility of extraordinary expenses. Contributions made to the basic pension can be declared as extraordinary expenses, significantly reducing taxable income and consequently, the proportional tax obligations. Moreover, in the payment phase, pension payments become taxable only upon reaching retirement age.

Since self-employed individuals often have irregular income, the Rürup Pension enables them to variably adjust the amount of their contributions. This means that in years with lower income, they can make lower contributions and vice versa, creating a level of adaptability.

The Rürup Pension provides long-term asset protection. It is secured from state redistribution processes and insolvency during the accumulation phase. Moreover, it offers a lifetime payment guarantee, ensuring financial security in old age.

Unlike the mandatory pension system, the Rürup Pension is flexible with no fixed minimum contributions. This means that self-employed individuals can adjust their payments as per their current financial situation. Additionally, its assets are protected from seizures and insolvencies, providing a reassuring buffer.