Six companies from industry, social economy and medium-sized companies received the German company pension award for innovative models of company pension schemes (bAV). In order to adequately take into account the different initial situations depending on the size of the company, the German bAV Prize is awarded annually in the categories of large companies and small and medium-sized companies (SMEs).
In the large companies category, Dow Germany, Schaeffler and Commerzbank received awards. Among the SMEs, the AWO District Association of Lower Franconia, the Association of Baden-Württemberg Bus Companies and the Eberhardt Flugel car dealership convinced the jury. This year the jury included Dr. Martin Brixner (Airbus), Sylke Fleischhut (August Storck), Horst Grögler (TRATON), trade journalist and company pension expert Klaus Morgenstern, Sabine Oxenknecht (SICK), Sabine Payne (Deutsche Bank) and Dr. Georg Thurnes (ThurnesbAV).
The best company pension projects in the Large company category
First place goes to Dow Germany for its uniform company pension system. The Dow Pension Plan is a nationwide, modular company pension system that interlinks employer and employee contributions. The model combines matching mechanisms and opt-out regulations with capital market-oriented return opportunities and the security of partial internal financing. The concept is complemented by collectively organized risk protection without waiting times. The aim is to create uniform care across all societies.
Schaeffler won second place for its pension plan with capital market opportunities. With the Schaeffler Pension Plan (SPP), the company introduced a retirement provision solution in 2023 that enables pension savings to be built up through capital market investments. When insured, employees can choose between a one-off payment, installments or a lifelong pension. As part of the integration of Vitesco, all former Vitesco employees were given a change offer with comparison calculations between their previous pension plans at Vitesco and the SPP. Schaeffler employees who have not yet switched to the SPP in 2023 were also able to take advantage of this offer.
With third place, the jury honored the company pension scheme communication for young talents at Commerzbank. When it comes to company pension schemes, Commerzbank relies on a communication concept developed specifically for young talents. With short videos, interactive events and understandable language without technical jargon, trainees, students and career starters should receive early orientation in the “retirement provision jungle”. The aim is to create knowledge and transparency about retirement provision right from the start of your working life. “A contemporary approach that conveys complex pension topics in an understandable and attractive way for young target groups,” said the jury. At the same time, the concept strengthens the perception of the company pension scheme as a valuable benefit and contributes to employee satisfaction, loyalty and financial security.
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We will publish what exactly is behind the company pension concepts of the award-winning companies in our special edition of COMP & BEN magazine on July 1st.
Winner of the bAV prize in the SME category
The jury awarded first place to the social partner model with a pure contribution commitment from the AWO Lower Franconia district association. The AWO Lower Franconia district association, together with the social partner Verdi, introduced a company pension scheme as a pure contribution commitment in the social partner model. The collectively agreed approach enables many employees to benefit from noticeably employer-financed retirement provision for the first time. The model combines mandatory access and collective security mechanisms with capital investment.
The Association of Baden-Württemberg Bus Companies (WBO) also takes first place with its Bus Rente. With the BusRente BW, the WBO has created an industry solution for medium-sized businesses that reaches more than 8,000 employees from around 320 predominantly family-run member companies. The model is one of the first comprehensive social partner models with pure contribution commitments in German medium-sized businesses and combines opportunity-oriented capital investment with security mechanisms and a liability-free employer role.
The Eberhardt Flugel car dealership received third place for the concept.Retirement provision and health budget from a single source”. The Eberhardt Flugel car dealership relies on a care concept that combines retirement provision and health promotion. In addition to an employer-financed contribution to the company pension scheme, the company supports the deferred compensation of its employees with a subsidy of 20 percent. In addition, all employees have an annual health budget of 600 euros available, which they can use for preventive examinations, visual aids and dental care, for example.
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Then take a look at our dossier on the topic. There we continually put together studies, news and best cases for you. Find out how you can strengthen employee loyalty and increase satisfaction through attractive pension models and tax advantages.
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A lot is possible with the company pension scheme
The award ceremony in 2026 was the 13th in a row. The award recognizes companies that implement outstanding projects in the company pension scheme. The projects submitted included innovative pension models as well as new communication and participation approaches in company pension schemes.
It is also noteworthy that not only large corporations, but also smaller companies are increasingly implementing convincing concepts. Professor Dr. Martin Werding from the Ruhr University Bochum and a member of the Federal Government’s Economic Advisory Council said: “The award-winning projects show that high-performance company pension scheme models can be implemented in companies of all sizes.”
company pension scheme as part of modern personnel policy
Company pension schemes are playing an increasingly important role for many companies. It is becoming increasingly important not only as a tool for employee retention, but also in the context of financial well-being – the financial security in which current expenses are covered. The bAV supports employees in building long-term financial security.
At the same time, employers with a company pension scheme also assume social responsibility by helping to protect their employees in old age. This is also emphasized by Dr. Thomas Jasper, Head of Retirement for Western Europe at the consulting firm WTW: “In view of demographic change, company pension schemes are increasingly becoming a central component of modern human resources policy.” Companies that support their employees in building long-term wealth not only make an important contribution to financial stability, but also sustainably strengthen their attractiveness as employers.
Kirstin Grundel deals with the topics of compensation & benefits, remuneration and company pension schemes. She also works as an editor for the magazine “Comp & Ben”. She is the editorial contact for the Total Rewards practice forum.
