2.1.2 Survey on old age income (ASID)
It is the aim of the research project called ‘Old-age pensions in Germany’ (ASID) to provide
up-to-date and representative data organised according to various socio-demographic groups
describing the income situation of the elder population in West and East Germany. The first
survey was realized in 1986, the last and actual study was carried out in 2007. The law
requires that the ASID survey should be conducted once every legislative period, because it is
the basis for an official government report on the income of the elder population
(Alterssicherungsbericht). The study has so far been carried out six times. The population
from the age of 55 is covered by the study, including those living in residential homes.
Centrepiece of the survey is the collection of data on over 25 types of income, in cases of
couples for both spouses and in cases of widows disaggregated by self-acquired and derived
benefits. The ASID collects information on income from the various sources like all old-age
pension provision systems, but also private sources like private insurances. Thus ASID shows
not only the level of overall gross and net income but also allows for varied analyses of
income patterns. This is supplemented by information about the course of working life and the
current life situation. In case of couples are relevant data gained for both spouses, in case of
widows also the late husband is taken into consideration. The gross incomes are finally
converted into net incomes by way of an income tax and social insurance contribution model.
For the ASID, a representative sample is taken for this particular purpose from the local
registers, where all people living in Germany must register. This is the best and most
expensive method of sampling survey data. It can only be used if there is a public interest in
the conducted survey. Irrespective of their marital status both men and single, i.e. widowed,
divorced and unmarried women were chosen at random as target persons. The data of married
women were collected together with the data gained from their spouses. The level of survey
comprised married couples and single persons. The data of the ASID ‘92, ‘95 an ’99 can be
ordered via the GESIS-Zentralarchiv in Cologne by the keyword ‘Alterssicherung in
Deutschland’. For the later surveys the data have not been published and a date of publication
it is yet not announced.
2.2 Old age provisions of future pensioners
Estimation of future old age income as a result of today’s acquired pension rights and savings
is a particular daunting task. It requires the assessment of contributions to public, occupational
and private schemes up to the date and the prospect of future old age income steaming from
these sources.