Business · Economy · 1 day ago
Where retirees live changes how far their pensions go
A DKB analysis compared pension buying power across Germany’s 30 largest cities.
It adjusted average pension amounts for local prices, using figures for pensions with at least 35 years of insurance contributions.
Gelsenkirchen ranked highest, with a regional buying-power value of €1,721 for the average pension amount of €1,614.
Munich ranked lowest, at €1,251, as higher prices reduce what retirees can afford.
For the same €1,000 pension, the analysis estimated buying power of €1,094 in Chemnitz but only €807 in Munich.
Housing and other local costs shape the gap, so the same pension can support different living standards depending on where someone lives.
The analysis also found an average €433 difference in pension buying power between men and women across the cities, reflecting lower average pensions for women.
A DKB analysis found that the purchasing power of retirees’ pensions varies sharply across Germany’s 30 largest cities.
Gelsenkirchen ranked highest, with an adjusted average pension purchasing power of €1,721.
Munich ranked lowest, with an adjusted value of €1,251.
For a model pension of €1,000, purchasing power ranged from €1,094 in Chemnitz to €807 in Munich.
The analysis also found a gender gap in pension purchasing power, averaging €433 across the cities.
- Who
- The Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB) examined pension purchasing power for retirees in Germany’s 30 largest cities.
- What
- The analysis compared average pensions with regional price levels and found large differences in how much pensions can buy.
- When
- The reports were published on October 30, 2026. The analysis used pension data from the end of 2025 and regional price data from 2024.
- Where
- The 30 largest cities in Germany.
- Why
- Regional living costs, especially housing costs, affect how much retirees can buy with their pensions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The regional price index used in the analysis was published.
The pension data used in the analysis reflected average old-age pension payments for people with at least 35 years of insurance.
Reports on the DKB analysis were published.
- Cities examined
- 30 largest cities in Germany
- Highest adjusted average pension purchasing power
- Gelsenkirchen: €1,721
- Lowest adjusted average pension purchasing power
- Munich: €1,251
- €1,000 model pension in Chemnitz
- €1,094 purchasing power
- €1,000 model pension in Munich
- €807 purchasing power
- Average gender gap across cities
- €433 in pension purchasing power
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What people are saying
High living costs are a burden for many even during working life. They become an even greater burden in old age.