Determine the individual savings contribution to close the pension gap
How big is the pension gap in old age? ©sonares
In many cases, the statutory pension alone is not enough to ensure the standard of living we are used to in retirement. Inflation, the rising cost of living and longer life expectancy mean that many people have less income in old age than they actually need.
This is where the ScienceFact „Pension Gap Calculator/Savings Amount“ provides clarity: users can quickly and easily calculate how large their personal pension gap is likely to be and what monthly savings amount is needed to close it by the time they retire.
The interactive tool takes into account various factors such as age, salary, pension points, planned retirement age, desired pension amount and existing reserves. The result is a realistic and scientifically based assessment of how much should be invested regularly in order to be financially secure in old age.
Name of the ScienceFact: Pension gap calculator/ savings amount
Developed: 2025
Developed by: sonares | Martina Backes
Cooperation partner/source: Aeirofia GmbH, Federal Ministry of Finance, GDV and others
Number of queries: 8
Type of queries: Demographic (age), financial (earnings, desired pension, pension points, retirement age, private pension), savings behavior
What can the ScienceFact do?
The ScienceFact “Pension Gap Calculator/Savings Amount” determines individual capital requirements in retirement. Based on just a few details, the widget calculates how big the difference is between the statutory pension and the desired monthly pension - and how high the monthly savings amount should be to close the pension gap.
The tool translates complex calculations into easy-to-understand results, providing guidance on one of the most important financial issues: Will my pension be enough later on?
How does the ScienceFact work?
- Users enter their data step by step in an interactive form.
- The widget evaluates the entries in real time and sets them in relation to each other.
- The calculation shows the potential pension gap - i.e. the difference between the expected income in retirement and the amount actually required to maintain the standard of living to which you are accustomed. It also determines how high the monthly savings amount should be.
Advantages of the ScienceFact
Simple integration
The survey widget can be easily integrated into existing websites using embedded code.
Scientifically sound
The calculations are based on data from current pension calculations.
Enlightening
Easy-to-understand results give users a realistic estimate of their additional financial requirements in old age.
How the ScienceFact can be used
Financial portals and insurances
... integrate the widget directly into their customer areas or websites. With just a few clicks, users receive a transparent estimate of their future pension gap. This makes the widget ideal for customer loyalty: After all, those who know their pension needs are more likely to opt for suitable products such as fund pensions, occupational pension solutions or private pension insurance.
Employers and benefits platforms
... integrate the widget into the intranet or HR portal. This gives employees an easy way to check their future pension entitlement and see how big their current pension gap is. The calculator can provide valuable impetus, especially in the context of company pension schemes: it raises awareness of one's own financial future and motivates employees to actively use the employer's existing offers.
Advice platforms, financial apps and consumer media
... use the widget to communicate the topic of retirement provision in a clear, interactive and low-threshold way. Instead of dry tables, the widget offers an intuitive calculation with a direct "wow" effect: it makes it clear how much small savings amounts grow over the years and what impact early decisions have on the financial future. It is also ideal for embedding in editorial content: in advice articles, pension campaigns or newsletters.
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This is why the ScienceFact was developed
Securing the standard of living in old age is one of the central social challenges of our time. Despite rising incomes and growing opportunities for returns, many people do not know how big their personal pension gap is.
The ScienceFact „Pension Gap Calculator“ was developed to remedy this lack of information: low-threshold, data-based and transparent. The aim is to promote financial education and provide concrete impetus for action for secure retirement provision
Data basis and scientific foundation
The calculations are based on data from the Federal Ministry of Finance and other renowned institutions. An interdependent calculation model enables precise evaluation of personal data and transforms the complex calculations into a clear and easy-to-understand presentation.
The relevance of ScienceFacts for science
The ScienceFact “Pension Gap Calculator” not only provides valuable insights for private individuals, but can also be used in research and consulting, for example to analyze pension behavior, income development or financial literacy.
In this way, ScienceFact can make an important contribution to financial education and pension research and make scientific models accessible to the general public.
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ScienceFacts can change lives
Financial security in old age is one of the biggest challenges facing society in the coming decades. Many people rely on their statutory pension, but this often only covers part of their accustomed standard of living. The result: a pension gap that can quickly become a noticeable problem without additional provision.
This is exactly where ScienceFact comes in: It helps users to realistically assess their personal pension gap. The scientifically sound calculation provides a clear overview of your own financial future and a data-based foundation for pension decisions.
But what has a particularly strong influence on the size of the pension gap? The most important factors are
- Age: The earlier you start saving, the smaller the gap will be.
- Income: Higher salaries lead to more pension points, but often also to higher entitlements in old age.
- Employment history: Gaps in working life, part-time work or parental leave can reduce the pension level.
- Interest rate trends and inflation: Economic changes can have a direct impact on real purchasing power in retirement.
ScienceFact translates these complex relationships into easy-to-understand results and makes it clear how important it is to make provisions in good time: whether through private pension insurance, company pension schemes or flexible savings plans, the tool not only promotes financial education, but also raises awareness of the importance of long-term planning.
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About sonares
sonares with headquarters in Berlin and a worldwide ScienceCommunity was founded in 2013. With the mission of making scientific knowledge accessible through modern technologies, sonares develops interactive tools such as ScienceFacts. These solutions make it possible to prepare complex data in a way that is understandable and usable for a broad audience. The main target groups include website operators, scientists and companies in the field of prevention and health. Through close cooperation with research institutions, professional societies and the use of scientific data, the sonar an important contribution to education and prevention. The company stands for scientific integrity, user-friendliness and the promotion of fact-based decisions to support an informed society.
