FAQ

The calculation simulations were verified cross-AI across 1,000 scenarios, packed with edge cases. Getting the same results from two different AI providers (Claude and Gemini) was a long road: the logic was simplified where complexity added little value, the conservative calculation was preferred in cases of doubt, and everything was described in a single prompt with full detail — leaving no room for deviation.

The verification runs again with every major update, while changes to the logic are avoided as far as possible.

Even though the logic is verified, the result depends heavily on the assumptions you set yourself. See more under Which assumptions should I make?

The preset assumptions were adapted for Germany based on research and a conservative logic: life expectancy, taxes, pension adjustment, inflation and more.

Depending on the country, these can vary and should be adjusted.

Other assumptions you set yourself from the start — for example, the return on your investments. Here it pays to plan conservatively and to run and compare different scenarios.

In the calculator you can switch the statutory pension between employed and self-employed at the top. In the self-employed view the salary estimator disappears — you only need the single figure from your pension statement (or 0). There are two cases to tell apart:

• Always self-employed / never paid into the statutory scheme: Set the statutory pension to 0. Your gap is then filled entirely from your private provision — enter a Rürup/basis pension, for example, as income or an investment.
• Previously employed, now self-employed (or your statutory entitlement no longer grows): Use the entitlement already reached (② on your pension statement) — not the projected standard retirement pension (③). The projected figure assumes further contributions you're no longer making, so it comes out too high.

Your remaining provision — an ETF portfolio, a Rürup/basis pension, property, savings accounts — you then enter as usual as an investment with your expected savings rate and return. Because self-employed income often fluctuates, it's especially worth comparing several scenarios — for instance a cautious and an optimistic savings rate.

That way you get a realistic picture of how large your gap is and what savings rate closes it. The pension gap calculator guides you step by step.

It depends on how you use it:

• You live in your own home? Because you pay no rent, the income you need in retirement can be correspondingly lower. But keep in mind the costs that remain: service charges, reserves, maintenance.
• You expect regular rental income? Perfect — simply add it as retirement income. Estimate how much rent you'd receive from retirement onwards, and factor in inflation and value appreciation.
• You want to sell the property and invest the money elsewhere? Enter the expected sum as an investment with the return of the new investment. It's worth comparing two scenarios here: rent out, or sell and invest.

Your properties also appear in an overview table. And make sure enough reserves are set aside for renovations and repairs — for example in a savings account.

No. versorgt is a calculation tool, not advice. All results are model calculations based on the assumptions you set yourself — and are not investment, tax or legal advice.

There are deliberately no product recommendations, no affiliate links and no sales intent. The tool won't tell you which ETF, which insurance or which bank to choose — it only shows how your own figures develop over time and where a gap appears.

For a recommendation tailored to your personal situation, turn to an independent fee-based adviser or a tax adviser. versorgt helps you walk into that conversation well prepared.

In short: honestly and rather conservatively. The three points in detail:

• Statutory pension: You enter your expected gross pension (from your pension statement). It runs for life and is carried forward over the years with an adjustable pension increase rate.
• Inflation: Accounted for throughout. You see your figures both nominally and in today's purchasing power — so what's really left in 30 years isn't glossed over.
• Taxes: Capital gains tax (KESt, 25% by default) is deducted from investment returns; the rate is adjustable. So the maths uses net returns, not the prettier gross figures.

The presets (life expectancy, tax rate, pension increase, inflation) were chosen conservatively for Germany based on research and can all be adjusted. See more under Which assumptions should I make?

What is not taken into account: Your tax-free allowance (the saver's allowance, €1,000 in Germany), partial exemptions on certain ETFs, and other possible tax benefits are not included — deliberately, to keep the logic from getting unnecessarily complicated and to stay conservative. In reality your result may therefore turn out somewhat better.