21.03.2025

Rürup Pension: Tax Benefits for Self-Employed Workers and Professionals

The Rürup Pension, also known as the basic pension, has established itself as a beacon of security for self-employed workers and professionals. Thanks to its significant tax advantages and the ability to adapt to individual financial situations, it offers a customized solution for those who do not have access to legal pension insurance. This article highlights the tax benefits and explains why the Rürup Pension is particularly suitable for self-employed workers without legal coverage. Discover how this form of pension can secure your financial future.

Strategic Tax Advantages of the Basic Pension for Self-Employed Workers

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 workers and professionals to optimize their pension planning with attractive tax benefits. A deep dive into the tax advantages of this form of retirement savings shows how strategic decisions can lead to a significant reduction in the tax burden.

One of the main attractions is the deductibility of special expenses. Contributions made to the basic pension can be deducted as special expenses on the income tax return. This significantly reduces taxable income and thus proportionate tax liabilities. Especially in 2025, singles benefit from a maximum amount of up to 29,344 euros, while married couples can deduct up to 58,688 euros. These generous limits provide pleasant relief, particularly for self-employed workers who often report high overall incomes.

The flexibility in structuring contributions is another compelling advantage. Self-employed workers often have irregular incomes, so it is beneficial that the amount of payments can be easily adjusted. In this way, taxpayers can overcome difficult years with lower payments and effectively direct savings from better years towards retirement provisions.

During the subsequent payment phase, self-employed workers also enjoy specific benefits. Based on deferred taxation, pension payments become taxable only at retirement age. The taxable portion of the pension increases annually by 0.5% until total taxation in 2058. This corresponds to a period in which many may 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 secure in the long term, regardless of state redistribution processes. Additionally, the basic pension offers a lifetime payment guarantee, providing financial security in old age. The bankruptcy protection also proves advantageous, as rights during the accumulation phase are protected from creditors.

In summary, the basic pension is not only a way to reduce taxes during the working phase, but also offers stability in retirement. Particularly for the self-employed, this translates into a strategically valuable combination of tax benefits and long-term financial security.

Fundamentals of Pension: Why the Rürup Pension Opens New Doors for Self-Employed Workers

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 highly attractive element of pension provision for self-employed workers who do not contribute to legal pension insurance. This group of professionals, relying exclusively on their private retirement savings, benefits from a variety of unique advantages offered by the Rürup Pension.

The tax benefits of the Rürup Pension are a fundamental factor. The ability to deduct contributions as special expenses positively impacts the taxable income. Especially for self-employed workers with high incomes, this leads to a significant reduction in the tax burden during the accumulation phase. This savings allows taxpayers to make their retirement provision more flexible and financially efficient.

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

In addition, there is protection against the bankruptcy of accumulated capital. In times of financial turbulence, the assets in the Rürup Pension remain intact, as they are usually protected from seizures and bankruptcies. This security provides a relaxing buffer, allowing self-employed workers to have a reassuring perspective for both the present and the future of their retirement provision.

Furthermore, the Rürup Pension offers peace of mind and stability by guaranteeing a lifelong pension. This continuous source of income ensures long-term support in old age and is a reliable pillar to rely on.

Finally, for many self-employed workers, the Rürup Pension replaces legal pension insurance, as it offers a funded, effective, and secure way to save money for retirement. Although the pension is taxable later, this generally proves advantageous, as the personal tax rate in retirement is often lower than during the working phase.

Therefore, the Rürup Pension is an ideal solution for self-employed workers, particularly those with high incomes, to plan effectively and tax-favorably for retirement. It provides tailored flexibility and security that goes far beyond traditional models, thus representing a smart alternative for self-employed pension provision.

Frequently asked questions

The Rürup Pension, also known as the basic pension, is a retirement saving scheme with significant tax advantages and customization options. It’s particularly suited for self-employed professionals and workers who don’t have access to legal pension insurance.

Contributions made to the basic pension can be deducted as special expenses on the income tax return, effectively reducing taxable income and tax liabilities. There’s flexibility in structuring contributions and during the payment phase, taxes are deferred until retirement, when income is usually lower. Singles can benefit up to 29,344 euros and married couples up to 58,688 euros in 2025.

The pension offers asset protection and bankruptcy protection. The former ensures the pension is secure regardless of state redistribution processes while the latter protects rights during the accumulation phase from creditors. The Rürup Pension also offers a lifetime payment guarantee.

For self-employed professionals with irregular incomes, the Rürup Pension offers flexibility in contribution payments. Payments can be adjusted according to the financial situation of the year. Tax savings from this pension can provide flexibility and efficiency in retirement provisions. Additionally, in cases of financial turbulence, the pension assets are protected providing a safe financial future.

The Rürup Pension allows for contributions to be deducted as special expenses, leading to a significant reduction in tax burdens during the accumulation phase. Furthermore, the pension is taxable later, typically when personal tax rates in retirement are lower than during the working phase. This makes it a tax-efficient way to save for retirement.