Changes are possible via detours

Common Testament: Who is allowed to make changes?

Question: In a common will, my parents have also determined that my brother and I should decide together for them if they can not do this anymore. After the death of my father, my brother wants to achieve that we can act independently of each other. Is it even permissible for my mother to change the common will retrospectively? Otherwise would a general power of attorney in favor of my brother override the earlier order?

Helma Sick: In principle, a joint will can not be changed after the death of a spouse by the survivor. On the other hand, the so-called preventive power of attorney given by your parents in the will is not an injunction in the event of death, but in the event of their inability to decide during their lifetime. This mandate can be changed: your mother - but only you - can use other people. If your mother grants her brother a general power of attorney, this alone is not a change of the power of attorney. If the general power of attorney is expressly given in the event that your mother can no longer decide on her own affairs, this will invalidate the determination of her parents in the Community will.

Riester pension: unsuitable for foreign countries?

Question: I would like to live in Greece in my old age. That's why I have not completed a Riester pension, because you have to pay back all allowances, if you live abroad. Why?

Helma Sick: Some people probably wondered that. In any case, the European Court of Justice has ruled that Riester pensions in other European countries can also be obtained without restriction. Allowances and tax benefits do not have to be repaid.

Disability: What insurance is taking me?

Question: I am a cabaret artist, 42, and would like to take out occupational disability insurance. So far everyone has rejected me; supposedly the risk is too high. What do you advise me?

Helma Sick: Many companies deny access to occupational disability insurance for certain occupational groups - such as dancers, actors, and cabaret artists - because even a minor impairment can lead to a disability. As an alternative, you may be considering the little-known basic health insurance. Losses of important skills such as seeing, hearing, speaking, walking or standing are paid monthly. Whether the impairment was caused by illness, injury or loss of strength does not matter. You pay even when your job can still be done. What you earn your money is not important for the recording.

Life insurance: tax or not?

Question: For the capital payment from private pension insurance, you wrote once in analogy: Who is paid over the age of 60 years and has paid at least twelve years, the profits only half to tax. I have a life insurance policy for 20 years, which will soon be paid out. The insurance company told me I did not have to pay anything. At the tax office, however, it was said that all profits would have to be fully taxed. Who is right?

Helma Sick: At the tax office was probably the desire of the father of thought. In your case, the insurance company is right, because your contract was concluded before 1. 1. 2005. All life and annuity insurances to which this applies have a big advantage: The capital payment is completely tax-free after twelve years of maturity and a regular premium payment!

On the other hand, profits from recent insurance policies must be taxed - depending on the duration of the contract and the age of the insured, in full or at least half. Since your contract has been running for 20 years, you can now look forward to a tax-free payment.

Bank crisis: Is my fund broke?

Question: I completed the "DJE Real Estate" fund two years ago. Now I'm worried about my money because the fund is apparently broke. According to newspaper reports, he was now taken over by the state.

Helma Sick: Do not worry: bankruptcy and recently state-owned is not your fund, but the "Hypo Real Estate" bank. You have apparently stumbled upon the similarity of the name: "Real Estate" is the Anglo-Saxon term for real estate. Therefore several companies and also funds carry this addition in the name.

Your fund is a so-called fund of funds. That means he invests in open-ended real estate funds, real estate stocks and real estate equity funds. It belongs to the fund company DJE (Dr. Jens Erhardt), one of the most respected asset managers in Germany. The Fund is not threatened by bankruptcy or closure.

Helma Sick leads her company "frau & geld" together with Renate Fritz in Munich. More tips can be found on their homepage.

A Google Maps detour turned into an adventure for a driver on the way to the airport (April 2024).