Overview

• Fresh government analysis shows Cologne retirees receive notably less than the national average, with men at €1,414 and women at €941 in 2024 versus €1,486 and €985 nationwide.
• More than 25,000 older residents in Cologne rely on basic security, yielding a 9.9% rate that is over twice the 3.9% federal average, with Düsseldorf reported at a similar level.
• Official EU-SILC 2024 data indicate 20% of people aged 65+ have under €1,400 net monthly income, and the median equivalised income for this group is €1,990 compared with €2,300 across the population.
• The number of seniors receiving Grundsicherung rose to 739,000 by end‑2024, a 31% increase since 2020, equating to roughly 4.1% of those at or above retirement age.
• Gender and regional disparities remain stark, with women averaging €1,720 in retirement income versus €2,320 for men, while many women in eastern regions receive comparatively higher pensions, such as around €1,370 net in East Berlin, Jena and Cottbus.