{
  "id": 4811887,
  "title": "Häufiger armutsgefährdet: Ruhestand im Osten: Weniger Eigentum und kleineres Einkommen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/haufiger-armutsgefahrdet-ruhestand-im-osten-weniger-eigentum-und",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-01T06:46:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/haeufiger-armutsgefaehrdet-ruhestand-im-osten-weniger-eigentum-und-kleineres-einkommen/100251042.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In eastern German states, pensioners have lower incomes and are less likely to own their own home compared to their counterparts in the west. The median household income (median) only differs by 80 Euros, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. Last year, the range of income for those solely consisting of retirees or pensioners aged 65 and above spanned from 2,270 Euros in the east to 2,350 Euros in the west. The median income is defined for households that consist exclusively of retirees or pensioners aged 65 and above. Half of the households have lower incomes, while the other half has higher incomes.\n\nAccording to the data, 93 percent of the income comes from pensions and retirement benefits. In the east, these benefits accounted for 96 percent of the household income, while in the west, it was 92 percent. Additional income comes from rent or capital gains. Only about 1 percent of the income is earned through self-employment. The significant difference lies in the living situation: 61 percent of pensioners in the west live in their own property, while 39 percent pay rent in the east. Those who pay rent have to contend with their income covering the rent.\n\nDespite the relatively high relative poverty risk for pensioners in Germany, the figure remained high, with 18.9 percent of people aged 65 and above being at risk of poverty. This figure was last reported at 16.1 percent for the entire population. According to EU definition, a person is considered at risk of poverty if they have less than 60 percent of the average income of the total population.",
  "summary": "Im Osten leben mehr Ruheständler zur Miete und mit weniger Einkommen als im Westen. Auch darüber hinaus gibt es Unterschiede bei den Finanzen im Alter.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}