A couple is delighted with their private pension plan.
Finance & Law
17.02.2026 Sabrina Ludwig 64

How to strike the ideal balance between your private pension provision and your work-life balance

The topic of retirement planning usually comes up relatively early for many employees and then remains a concern for many years. At the same time, everyday life often feels quite full, as professional tasks, family responsibilities, health issues, and personal time demands all intertwine and require constant attention. This quickly gives the impression that financial planning is yet another thing to think about. However, retirement planning can be structured in such a way that it fits quietly and unobtrusively into your everyday life and does not have to be constantly on your mind.

Why is private pension provision generally worthwhile?

When starting your career, the statutory pension scheme initially provides a familiar basis. Contributions are automatically deducted each month, giving you an initial sense of security. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that this form of provision is primarily designed to cover basic needs. Personal wishes, changes in lifestyle, or additional expenses later in life can often only be covered to a limited extent.

This is precisely where private pension provision comes in. It expands the existing framework and creates significantly more financial leeway.

Private pension solutions allow individual preferences to be better taken into account, such as a flexible transition from working life or more freedom in organizing everyday life in old age. Often, it is less about individual figures or amounts and more about the reassuring feeling of being able to influence your own future and not completely relinquishing control over important decisions.

How can you easily integrate retirement planning into your everyday life?

A busy schedule does not necessarily mean that there is no room for retirement planning. The key is to approach the topic calmly and without additional pressure or stress . A good first step is to get a rough overview of the situation. This can often be achieved by reading up on the subject online and gathering basic information.

If you would like personal guidance, you can also make an appointment for an individual consultation. Such a conversation provides clarity and helps you to better assess your own options without having to work your way through a mountain of information on your own.

What types of pension plans are available?

When you start looking into retirement planning for the first time, you will quickly come across a range of different options. This may seem overwhelming at first, but it can be easily organized.

Common pension options include, for example:

  • Fund-linked savings plans, such as ETF savings plans, where a fixed amount is automatically invested each month.
  • traditional private pension insurance policies that provide for regular payments in old age
  • unit-linked pension insurance policies that combine long-term asset accumulation with subsequent pension payments
  • Company pension scheme, for example in the form of direct insurance or through an employer pension fund
  • Government-subsidized pension plans, such as the Riester pension or the Rürup pension, which are subject to certain conditions.
  • flexible private reserves, such as long-term savings plans or investment accounts without fixed contractual obligations

Each of these options has its own advantages and focus areas. Some solutions offer a great deal of flexibility, while others provide clear structures and easily plannable security in old age. 

If your everyday life leaves little room for organizational matters, pension solutions that run largely automatically are particularly suitable. Unit-linked savings plans with fixed monthly payments and company pension solutions are easy to integrate, as they run in the background and only need to be checked occasionally. This keeps the issue manageable and easy to handle even when you have little time.

Why should your personal life situation be included in the planning?

Your retirement provision will only be effective if it fits in with your actual life situation. Your income, family commitments, and career prospects influence which contributions make sense for you and which pension solutions are suitable.

But life stages change over time, and this should also be reflected in your planning. Part-time phases, parental leave, or career reorientation, for example, can best be taken into account if you rely on flexible concepts. 

Regular reviews help you keep track of things and make adjustments in good time. This ensures that your pension provision remains realistic and continues to fit in harmoniously with your everyday life.

Financial planning and quality of life in harmony 

A structured and forward-looking retirement plan does not stand in the way of a healthy work-life balance. Clear financial conditions often even lead to more peace of mind in everyday life.

When you know what your goals are and what your plans look like, you gain orientation and security, while also leaving enough time for personal wishes, relaxation, and spending time with family and friends.

zero Gratitude makes you healthy and happy

Woman smiles gratefully
Body & Soul
13.01.2026 Christin Müller 22191

Learning gratitude and staying healthy

We adults live our daily lives filled with to-do lists, tightly scheduled appointments, and ambitious goals. In doing so, we often overlook the small moments that truly enrich our lives. Yet gratitude is the key to a healthier and happier life. How you can learn gratitude and which method helps.

Learning gratitude increases the feeling of happiness

To feel gratitude, you need to look deep inside yourself. Leave all negativity behind and reflect on the positive aspects of your life—no matter how small they may be.

Gratitude has been proven to increase feelings of happiness and joy in life. And not only that:

Being grateful is something you can learn!

Gratitude method 1: Gratitude journal

There are various methods you can use to learn gratitude. The best known is the gratitude journal, in which you write down every day before going to bed what was nice about that day or what you are grateful for. One thing per day is enough. In our article "Writing down positive thoughts," we explain the principle of writing things down in more detail, which you are welcome to use as a template for your journal.

However, it is important not only to write down what you are grateful for, but also to reflect on it so that you can truly feel it.

Gratitude method 2: The 5-finger method

We would like to introduce you to one gratitude method today because it gives you a holistic feeling and quickly and effectively sharpens your eye for the little things mentioned above.

The starting point for this gratitude exercise is the 5-finger communication method developed by American psychologist Elsbeth Martindale. You can do this exercise regularly or whenever you're feeling down. You'll quickly experience a boost in your mood and a lasting increase in your well-being.

Use your hand as an aid and go through the following five steps one after the other.


 

  1. Thumbs: Familiarize yourself with the topic! Think about what you are really proud of. Be aware of your strengths and give yourself a pat on the back.
  2. Point the finger: Point to the facts! What excites and inspires you? For example, think of something beautiful from nature or a piece of work that you have created.
  3. Middle finger: Name your feelings! What good thing have you done for someone and how did it make you feel? How does it make you feel when you think about it now? Think about who you could do something good for next.
  4. Ring finger: What makes you feel good? Think of the person(s) you love or have loved. What feelings does this trigger in you?
  5. Little finger: What do you want? Name one thing you are grateful for.

Do you already feel a change?

Gratitude makes you healthy


 

Better sleep and less anxiety through greater gratitude

You may already have guessed that gratitude makes you feel content and happy. But did you know that it can be a true all-round remedy?

People who are grateful generally have a positive attitude toward life. It improves sleep and reduces feelings such as anger, anxiety, and depression. Gratitude increases motivation and reduces chronic stress—both in your private life and at work.

This has even been scientifically proven in various studies over the past 20 years. A 2015 study by the University of California even found that being grateful has been shown to improve heart health.

The good thing about it is:

"Gratitude can be trained, just like curiosity or humor."

says psychologist Willibald Ruch from the University of Zurich.

Those who practice this regularly increase their well-being. After some time, the neurobiological effects of gratitude training have even been proven by brain scans, according to Spiegel scientists at the University of Indiana (2016).

Learning gratitude: The most important questions and answers

What does it mean to learn gratitude?

Learning gratitude means deliberately focusing on the positive things in everyday life and using techniques to actively feel gratitude and establish it as an attitude.

Why is gratitude important for health?

Gratitude not only increases feelings of happiness and joy, but according to studies, it can also reduce stress, improve sleep, increase motivation, and even strengthen heart health.

How can I practice gratitude?

The easiest way to do this is with methods such as keeping a gratitude journal—writing down one positive experience every day—or Elsbeth Martindale's 5-finger method, which involves reflecting on different aspects of your life.

Can everyone learn gratitude?

Yes, studies and experts such as Prof. Willibald Ruch prove that gratitude, like curiosity or humor, can be trained—and regular practice leads to measurable improvements in well-being.

How quickly do the effects of practicing gratitude become apparent?

Positive effects can occur after just a few weeks of regular training, e.g., more zest for life, less stress, or better sleep.

What scientific evidence is there for the effects of gratitude?

Studies conducted by the University of California (2015) and the University of Indiana (2016) show that gratitude promotes neurobiological changes, protects the heart, and increases overall well-being.

What other benefits does practicing gratitude offer?

In addition to improved well-being, many people report stronger relationships, greater resilience, and increased satisfaction in their everyday lives—both personally and professionally.

Health impulses with the pme "Healthy Bites"

Looking for a small portion of well-being? Our "Healthy Bites" give you ideas for more relaxation, balance, activity and feel-good moments in your everyday work and private life.

They are not a substitute for professional help from counselors and psychologists. If you are experiencing addiction problems, persistent low mood, ongoing excessive stress, or deeper mental health issues, please seek professional advice, for example from pme Familienservice (link opens in a new window).