★★★★★ Trusted by 1,500+ Indian expats in Germany | Insurance broker — we work for you, not for insurers
Want a more detailed and critical explanation first? Read our complete Basisrente guide for Indian high earners in Germany.
Tax benefit
Up to €30,826 deductible
100% of eligible contributions can reduce your taxable income in 2026
Retirement
Lifetime pension
Guaranteed monthly income for life — you cannot outlive your savings
Ideal for
Self-employed friendly
No mandatory pension? Rürup can help fill the gap while creating strong tax advantages
Rürup vs. Riester vs. Private Pension — which is right for you?
Understanding the three main private pension options in Germany.
Rürup (Basisrente) — often especially relevant for self-employed people & high earners
Tax benefit: Up to €30,826/year fully deductible in 2026
Who qualifies: Everyone — often especially relevant for self-employed people and high earners
Payout: Lifetime annuity from age 62+
Investment: ETF & fund options available for growth
→ Strong tax savings today + guaranteed income in retirement.
Who qualifies: Everyone — often especially relevant for self-employed people and high earners
Payout: Lifetime annuity from age 62+
Investment: ETF & fund options available for growth
→ Strong tax savings today + guaranteed income in retirement.
Riester & Private Pension — alternatives
Riester: Government subsidies, but mainly for employees in the statutory pension system
Private pension: Flexible, but no upfront tax benefit — taxed differently
Riester max: €2,100/year — much lower contribution ceiling
Flexibility: Private pension offers more withdrawal options
→ Riester suits many employees; private pension suits those wanting flexibility. Rürup suits tax-focused retirement planning.
Private pension: Flexible, but no upfront tax benefit — taxed differently
Riester max: €2,100/year — much lower contribution ceiling
Flexibility: Private pension offers more withdrawal options
→ Riester suits many employees; private pension suits those wanting flexibility. Rürup suits tax-focused retirement planning.
How it works
Three simple steps to start your tax-optimized retirement savings.
1
Tell us about yourself
Your income, tax situation, employment status, and retirement goals. We explain the Rürup system and tax benefits in plain English.
2
We compare & recommend
As independent brokers, we compare Rürup/Basisrente tariffs across major providers — including ETF-based options — and recommend the best fit.
3
You start saving taxes
We handle the application. Eligible contributions can be claimed in your next tax return.
Why Rürup is powerful for expats
Combine strong tax savings with structured retirement planning.
Massive tax savings now
Contributions up to €30,826/year (€61,652 for married couples filing jointly) are 100% tax-deductible in 2026. At a 42% tax rate, that can mean more than €12,900 in annual tax relief at the maximum contribution level, depending on your situation.
Guaranteed lifetime income
Rürup pays a guaranteed monthly pension for life starting from age 62. You can never outlive your retirement savings — unlike a regular savings account.
ETF & fund investment options
Modern Rürup contracts let you invest in global ETFs and funds for higher growth potential — instead of low-interest classic plans.
Protected retirement asset
In the savings phase, Rürup assets can be protected against creditors and insolvency within the legal framework, which can be especially relevant for self-employed people.
💡
Self-employed expats often have no mandatory pension
Self-employed expats in Germany often have no mandatory pension at all. Without Rürup or private retirement savings, your long-term retirement may rely only on personal assets. For suitable cases, Rürup can unlock a meaningful tax advantage while helping you build structured pension income.
Real situations where Rürup makes the difference
How the Basisrente can help Indian expat freelancers and self-employed professionals.
Freelancer saved around €8,000/year in taxes
A self-employed IT consultant earning €95,000/year contributes €20,000 annually to a Rürup ETF plan. At a 42% marginal tax rate, the tax effect can be around €8,400 per year before individual adjustments — money that would otherwise have gone to the Finanzamt can instead support retirement savings.
IT contractor built a retirement fund
A 35-year-old contractor started Rürup with €500/month invested in a global ETF portfolio. Over 30 years, strong long-term market growth can create a substantial retirement asset — while the contract still converts into a lifelong pension later.
Self-employed secured lifetime pension
A freelance designer with no company pension used Rürup to build retirement security. She contributes strongly each year, creates a meaningful tax effect, and later receives a guaranteed lifetime pension from age 62 onward.
Good to know — what to consider
Important details about the Rürup/Basisrente system.
- Rürup contributions are 100% tax-deductible up to the annual maximum (€30,826 single / €61,652 married filing jointly in 2026)
- The pension is taxable when you receive it in retirement; for a pension starting in 2026, 84% is taxable, and the taxable share for new retirees rises gradually until 100% is reached in 2058
- You cannot withdraw a lump sum — Rürup always pays out as a lifetime monthly pension (annuity)
- The earliest payout age is 62 years for newer contracts
- Rürup savings are not freely inheritable in most cases — but spouse/children pensions can be added as riders depending on the tariff
- You can combine Rürup with other pension products — it does not replace Riester or company pensions but can complement them
This is exactly why personal advice matters. We analyze your tax situation, retirement goals, and investment preferences to find the optimal Rürup strategy.
Who should consider Rürup
The Basisrente is especially relevant for these groups.
- Self-employed and freelancers — with no mandatory pension, Rürup is often one of the strongest retirement and tax-planning tools available
- High earners wanting tax optimization — at a 42% marginal rate, every eligible euro contributed can create a strong immediate tax effect
- IT contractors and consultants — high income + no company pension often makes Rürup particularly relevant
- Anyone without a company pension (bAV) — if your employer does not offer a pension scheme, Rürup can fill part of that gap with stronger tax leverage
What our clients say
Real stories from Indian expats who optimized their retirement with Rürup.
★★★★★
"As a freelance SAP consultant, I had zero pension. Navpreet set up a Rürup ETF plan and I'm saving thousands per year in taxes. The money I would have paid to the Finanzamt is now invested for retirement."
Ashwin · Munich
★★★★★
"I didn't understand German pension at all. NEOdirect explained everything in English — Rürup, Riester, private pension — and showed me exactly why Rürup was the best fit. My Steuerberater confirmed the tax savings."
Nalini · Düsseldorf
★★★★★
"I contribute €1,500/month to my Rürup plan invested in a global ETF. The tax effect is strong, but what matters most to me is having a structured pension plan for the long term."
Prakash · Berlin
Your expert for Rürup pension planning
N
Navpreet Singh
Insurance Advisor · NEOdirect
I help Indian expats — especially freelancers and self-employed professionals — build tax-optimized retirement plans with Rürup. I'll show you how the product works, how the tax effect is created, and what your long-term pension setup may look like.
📖
Want a more critical guide first?
Read our detailed article for Indian high earners in Germany — including tax benefits, product limitations, flexibility issues, retirement taxation and alternatives to the Basisrente.
FAQ — Rürup Pension (Basisrente)
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Ready to save taxes and build your retirement?
Independent advice · English & Hindi support · Free Rürup comparison