German retiree households earn median 2,330 euros monthly

Data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals that households consisting exclusively of retirees aged 65 and older in Germany have a median monthly net income of 2,330 euros. There is a regional disparity: households in western Germany have a median income of 2,350 euros, while those in eastern Germany, including Berlin, average 2,270 euros.

Income for these households is predominantly derived from pensions, accounting for 93 percent of the total nationwide. In eastern Germany, this figure rises to 96 percent, whereas in the west, it is 92 percent, with a higher share of income coming from assets such as rental income or capital gains. A significant difference exists in housing: 61 percent of retirees in the west own their homes, compared to only 44 percent in the east.

The report also highlights a high risk of poverty among the elderly, with 18.9 percent of people aged 65 and older classified as being at risk of poverty, compared to 16.1 percent of the general population.