Confidence in stocks and funds has reached a new high among working people in Germany in 2024. According to a survey by HDI Insurance of 3,748 employed individuals, homeownership remains the most popular form of retirement planning. But securities are gaining in importance, and have surpassed the statutory pension. HDI Insurance is part of Talanx, one of the leading European insurance groups, with a revenue of 43.2 billion euros in 2023.

Securities now occupy second place among the most trusted forms of retirement savings at 25%, behind homeownership. The statutory pension, which was trusted by 22% of respondents just a few years ago, now only reaches 16% in 2024. The decline is particularly pronounced among those over 45. „A sustainable shift is now clearly visible, especially considering that German savers have been strongly influenced by safety in financial matters“, says Holm Diez, board member at HDI Deutschland.

A notable result of the survey is the significant rise in trust among working women in securities. Their confidence has increased by a third compared to the previous year, reaching 19%. For the first time, stocks and funds are among the top retirement options for women. Although scepticism remains higher among women than men, the decline in statements like „Stocks are too risky“ (40% compared to 49% last year) reflects a positive trend.

„Women don’t want specific „women’s products“ – they want advice tailored to their needs“, states Diez. This is also reflected in the demand for retirement solutions that can be adapted to personal life situations, including flexible contributions, durations, and investment strategies. Such products could help close the retirement gaps often experienced by women due to parental leave or care work.

In addition to the statutory pension, trust in rental properties as a retirement form has also declined, from 22% in 2020 to 17% in 2024. Homeownership, traditionally a key pillar of retirement planning, is also losing appeal. While 51% of respondents expressed the most trust in their own house or apartment in 2020, only 42% say the same in 2024.

People are not blind to the risks in the capital markets. „They don't completely ignore the fact that prices can go down“, explains Diez. Nonetheless, the growing recognition of stocks and funds as potential inflation protection, and source of return, seems to outweigh the risks.

The survey results also show clear regional differences. In Rhineland-Palatinate, stocks enjoy the most trust at 32%, while Saxony-Anhalt ranks lowest at 19%.