Pension factor, costs, fund selection: How to recognize a good ETF pension insurance

The amount of your future pension is determined by the pension factor, while the effective costs affect your final capital. I'll show you where to find these two key figures in the offer, what role Section 163 of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG) plays, and under what circumstances the insurance wrapper is actually advantageous from a tax perspective.

Care costs in 2026: This is how high the out-of-pocket expenses will be in nursing homes

A husband and wife sit on a couch looking at utility bills and electricity, gas or heating statements on their laptop, analyzing family budget and discussing finances together at home.

A place in a care home will cost an average of over €5,000 per month in 2026, of which you will have to pay €3,245 yourself. Benefits from long-term care insurance will remain frozen until 2028, so the gap will continue to widen. This article explains how the costs are calculated, who is liable in an emergency, and what kind of insurance is appropriate and when.

Public or private health insurance: When does switching really pay off for you?

The dice symbolize the switch from statutory health insurance to private health insurance.

Switching to private health insurance is almost always calculated at the wrong time: on a single date when the premium appears lowest. This calculation considers the entire working life: eligibility criteria for 2026, the special increase scheduled for 2027, family life, retirement, and the hurdle to returning to private insurance after age 55. The result is a framework you can use to assess your own situation.