PensionFriend

PensionFriend is a Germany-based financial advisory service specialising in pension planning for expats and international residents. Germany’s multi-pillar pension system — combining statutory state pension (gesetzliche Rente), occupational pension (betriebliche Altersvorsorge), and private pension products — requires active management to build adequate retirement income, particularly for internationally mobile individuals who may not accumulate sufficient state pension entitlements.

For expats in Germany, the state pension system’s benefit levels are directly tied to the number of contribution years. Those who arrive mid-career or stay for only a portion of their working life will accumulate proportionally reduced state pension entitlements, making private and occupational pension supplements particularly important.

PensionFriend helps clients understand their German pension entitlements, model likely retirement income scenarios, and identify the most appropriate private pension products — including Riester and Rürup pension schemes, which carry German tax advantages but have complex eligibility and usage rules.

The service is delivered in English and is designed for expats who want to plan seriously for retirement during their time in Germany — rather than arriving at the end of their career having missed years of tax-advantaged saving opportunities.