Behind Closed Doors: Intra-Couple Pension and Wealth Gaps in Germany and Beyond

Significant pension and wealth gaps persist within retired couples, particularly in West Germany, where gendered employment trajectories translate into markedly lower individual resources for women.

Institutional design matters: countries with dual-earner employment models and more universal public pensions show much smaller intra-couple disparities than systems relying heavily on earnings-related and private pension pillars.

Strengthening individual pension rights and supporting continuous employment for women—through childcare provision, equitable parental leave, and inclusive pension rules—is essential to ensuring financial security for both partners in retirement.