Pension Buyout
A permanent solution for your pension obligations.
Funding Solutions assumes occupational pension obligations permanently and in full - with full transparency and a proven track record as Germany's leading governance and consolidation platform.
Background
Pension obligations in focus.
Occupational pension obligations weigh on corporate balance sheets and tie up significant controlling and management capacity. This applies in particular to volatile defined-benefit liabilities and the associated risks such as longevity and inflation. The Pension Buyout is an internationally established instrument for the complete transfer of pension obligations. In the UK and the US in particular, this model has been used successfully for decades - in the UK alone, over GBP 50 billion of pension obligations were transferred to specialised providers in 2024.
In Germany, implementation takes place via the pensioner company ("Rentnergesellschaft") - a model in which pension obligations towards inactive beneficiaries are transferred fully and permanently to a specialised provider under German transformation law (Umwandlungsrecht). With appropriate structuring of the Rentnergesellschaft, the sponsor is released from the obligations in balance sheet, operational and legal terms and can focus on its core business. The Pension Buyout covers not only direct pension commitments (Direktzusagen) but all funding vehicles under German occupational pension law - including indirect commitments via Pensionskassen, Pensionsfonds, reinsured support funds (Unterstützungskassen) and funded obligations. The transaction structure is tailored to the specific pension landscape of each company.
Funding Solutions has established this model in Germany and, as the first provider, built a scalable platform with a focus on institutional governance. The combination of a strong governance framework, proven transaction structure and independent asset management creates the conditions for a secure transfer on competitive terms.
Terminology
Various terms are used internationally for this model: Pension Buyout, pension liability transfer (PLT), pension risk transfer (PRT) or buyout via Rentnergesellschaft. On this page, we use the term Pension Buyout throughout.
Balance Sheet Relief
Following the transfer, pension provisions and plan assets are fully derecognised from the balance sheet. Under IFRS, this can either take the form of full derecognition at closing, or a two-stage relief - split into the phases of years 1-10 and from year 11 onwards.
Operational Relief
HR, Finance and Legal are permanently relieved of administration, reporting, beneficiary management and investment oversight. The Pension Office of Funding Solutions assumes all tasks related to occupational pensions on a permanent basis.
Legal Relief
The pensioner company enables a permanent transfer of pension obligations - legally, economically and operationally. No other vehicle in Germany offers this comprehensive transfer of the subsidiary liability (subsidiäre Einstandspflicht).
Track Record
Germany's leading platform
for Pension Buyouts.
600m+
Euros of assumed
pension obligations
12
Pensioner companies
on the platform (as of 2026)
17,500+
managed pension
commitments
25m+
Euros in annual
pension benefits
Recent Transactions
All Insights →Funding Solutions takes over pension obligations of Wintershall Dea
Wintershall Dea executes Pension Buyout with FSD to sustainably manage occupational pension obligations.
May 2026
Funding Solutions assumes German pension obligations of Rabobank
Funding Solutions assumes the direct pension commitments of Rabobank's German branch, completing its twelfth buyout transaction.
Jan 2026
Juno Therapeutics transfers German pension obligations to Funding Solutions
Funding Solutions completes its tenth pensioner company transaction with the assumption of Juno Therapeutics GmbH pension obligations.
Dec 2025
Implementation
A structured process for your Pension Buyout.
From the first strategic analysis to the handover to the Pension Office, a transaction typically takes 6 to 9 months. All of our transactions follow a structured process divided into four phases.
Throughout the process, the company is supported by a dedicated project team of actuaries, lawyers and transaction specialists. Close coordination with all stakeholders on the company side ensures that the transaction is executed smoothly and within the agreed timeframe.
Target Structure
Analysis of the status quo and definition of the target structure, including an initial transaction and funding structure.
Together with the company, we define the strategic objectives and the project framework, examining balance sheet, tax and operational goals. An initial inventory captures the commitments, funding vehicles and volumes (direct commitments, support funds, Pensionskassen and pension funds as well as existing structures such as trusts, reinsurance policies or OLTB).
The allocation of roles between the sponsor and Funding Solutions, the involvement of the company's functions (HR, Finance, Legal) and of legal and financial advisers are also part of this inventory. The result is a target structure agreed with all stakeholders as the basis for further structuring.
Pension Due Diligence
Detailed actuarial, tax and legal review of the obligations to be transferred.
We analyse the pension obligations to be transferred and capture their history and commitment structure precisely as the basis for permanent payment capability. The focus is on the actuarial analysis to derive the funding requirement: valuation of the commitments, biometric risks, pension adjustment risks and mortality, each at the level of the individual beneficiary.
The legal review covers the analysis of the commitment documents for completeness and the identification of liability and other legal risks. The due diligence results in the funding requirement and a risk assessment of the obligations.
Pensioner Company Design
Customisation of your pensioner company on the basis of our toolkit.
From our toolkit of proven modules, the pensioner company is tailored to the company's objectives and the specifics of its pension landscape. This includes the choice of transfer route, which is usually driven by the company's tax considerations.
Governance decisions are also taken at this stage: in addition to our standard governance package, modules such as participation in the Investment Committee or a golden share are available to further protect the sponsor. The final transfer scope and the funding structure are also finalised in this step.
Execution
Legal documentation, notarisation, asset transfer and handover to the Pension Office.
The documentation package is finalised on the basis of the agreed target parameters. Funding Solutions works with renowned law firms for employment and transaction law and can take the lead in drafting the agreements; the allocation of tasks follows the company's preference and the agreed target structure. With notarisation, registration of the pensioner company in the commercial register and the asset transfer, the transaction is completed.
The operational handover to the Funding Solutions Pension Office covers the transfer of the relevant data and the takeover of existing service providers (temporarily under a TSA where required) or the direct transition of pension payments to the Pension Office. After closing, Funding Solutions continues to support the transferring company with regular reporting and in the dialogue with its auditor.
Timeline
Implementation Period
~6 to 9 Months
From the first advisory meeting or project kick-off to the closing of the transaction, we would typically expect a timeframe of 6 to 9 months. The exact project schedule depends on the transfer route, the design and the parties involved. Funding Solutions assigns a dedicated project manager to every transaction.
Technically, the timeline is governed by the company's balance sheet date, the company's approval requirements for measures under transformation law and the standard deadlines of the German Transformation Act (UmwG). The transaction must be completed no later than eight months after the underlying balance sheet date. For a 31 December balance sheet date, this means signing by the end of August.
Timeline
Implementation Period
~6 to 9 Months
From the first advisory meeting or project kick-off to the closing of the transaction, we would typically expect a timeframe of 6 to 9 months. The exact project schedule depends on the transfer route, the design and the parties involved. Funding Solutions assigns a dedicated project manager to every transaction.
Technically, the timeline is governed by the company's balance sheet date, the company's approval requirements for measures under transformation law and the standard deadlines of the German Transformation Act (UmwG). The transaction must be completed no later than eight months after the underlying balance sheet date. For a 31 December balance sheet date, this means signing by the end of August.
Phase 01
Target Structure
Together with the company, we define the strategic objectives and the project framework, examining balance sheet, tax and operational goals. An initial inventory captures the commitments, funding vehicles and volumes (direct commitments, support funds, Pensionskassen and pension funds as well as existing structures such as trusts, reinsurance policies or OLTB).
The allocation of roles between the sponsor and Funding Solutions, the involvement of the company's functions (HR, Finance, Legal) and of legal and financial advisers are also part of this inventory. The result is a target structure agreed with all stakeholders as the basis for further structuring.
Phase 02
Pension Due Diligence
We analyse the pension obligations to be transferred and capture their history and commitment structure precisely as the basis for permanent payment capability. The focus is on the actuarial analysis to derive the funding requirement: valuation of the commitments, biometric risks, pension adjustment risks and mortality, each at the level of the individual beneficiary.
The legal review covers the analysis of the commitment documents for completeness and the identification of liability and other legal risks. The due diligence results in the funding requirement and a risk assessment of the obligations.
Phase 03
Pensioner Company Design
From our toolkit of proven modules, the pensioner company is tailored to the company's objectives and the specifics of its pension landscape. This includes the choice of transfer route, which is usually driven by the company's tax considerations.
Governance decisions are also taken at this stage: in addition to our standard governance package, modules such as participation in the Investment Committee or a golden share are available to further protect the sponsor. The final transfer scope and the funding structure are also finalised in this step.
Phase 04
Execution
The documentation package is finalised on the basis of the agreed target parameters. Funding Solutions works with renowned law firms for employment and transaction law and can take the lead in drafting the agreements; the allocation of tasks follows the company's preference and the agreed target structure. With notarisation, registration of the pensioner company in the commercial register and the asset transfer, the transaction is completed.
The operational handover to the Funding Solutions Pension Office covers the transfer of the relevant data and the takeover of existing service providers (temporarily under a TSA where required) or the direct transition of pension payments to the Pension Office. After closing, Funding Solutions continues to support the transferring company with regular reporting and in the dialogue with its auditor.
Implementation Period
6 to 9 Months
Governance
Maximum Transparency
Our business model is entirely transparent. This extends from the project phase through the design of the pensioner company to ongoing operations.
Pensioner Company Toolkit
An individual buyout solution for your pension landscape: draw on our experience and use ready-made, proven modules for governance and reporting.
Consolidation Platform
Pensioner companies are held separately until a minimum threshold is reached. Assets remain segregated until full run-off. Segregation is implemented through reputable external CTA trustees.
Prudent Asset Management
Focus on risk-bearing capacity and long-term solvency in the investment of assets, with a defined de-risking path rather than the optimisation of distributions.
The security standard for beneficiaries and sponsors.
The governance structure of Funding Solutions is designed to permanently protect the interests of all parties involved - beneficiaries and transferring companies alike. At its core is a capitalisation structure within a governance framework that puts the secure payment of pension benefits first. The legal and economic segregation of assets is implemented through an external CTA trust.
The objective of the investment strategy is the fulfilment of pension commitments including all inflation adjustments - not the maximisation of distribution potential. This requires a transparent, tightly bounded remuneration structure. Our investment philosophy is therefore liability-driven, with a defined de-risking path as funding levels increase. Implementation is delegated to institutional asset managers, with ongoing monitoring by our Investment Committees.
Our implementation experience allows us to draw on an extensive toolkit of structuring options. Modules such as the use of a Golden Share, financing structures, tailored reporting or the option to attend Investment Committee meetings are established practice on our Funding Solutions Governance Platform.
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