This German Reddit thread (r/Finanzen) details a significant intergenerational conflict regarding financial realities, particularly housing affordability. The original poster (OP), a 35-year-old engineer earning a strong net salary (€3.8k), is pressured by his father to easily buy a house. The father, who receives a high monthly pension (€3,200 gross, approximately €2,500 net) and lives mortgage-free in a large house, complains of "starving" and demands a pension adjustment, demonstrating a profound disconnect from the current cost of living. The comments section explodes into a broader discussion, largely confirming that many older Germans (often termed "Boomers") are economically privileged, frequently own multiple properties, and fail to comprehend the financial struggles young professionals face regarding high housing prices (€500k for a comparable house vs. the original €9,000 DM cost) and crippling rent (€1,320 cold rent for OP). While some commenters are skeptical of the father's extreme delusion, the thread serves as a powerful illustration of the wealth disparity and perception gap driving generational frustration in Germany.
A Generational Disconnect: High Pensions, Housing Crisis, and Financial Delusion
[Start: Main Post] Generational Conflict over Housing: The 35-year-old engineer (OP) describes his father pressuring him to buy a house, believing it should be easy given his "good salary."
[P. 3] Housing Cost Reality Check: OP explains that his father’s current 250m² house would cost €500,000 today, while the father claims his own father paid only 9,000 DM decades ago.
[P. 5] Father’s Financial Situation: The father receives a very high gross monthly pension of €3,200 (approx. €2,500 net). Crucially, he lives rent-free in a massive, paid-off house.
[P. 6] The Delusion of Poverty: Despite his wealth, the father insists his pension is too low and that he is "starving" (am Hungertuch nage).
[P. 9] Disparity in Income and Expenses: The father incorrectly guesses OP earns "at least €5,000 Netto," when the actual figure is €3.8k net. The father failed to account for OP’s substantial €1,320 cold rent.
[P. 10] Key Takeaway (OP): The experience reveals a severe realitätsfern (disconnect from reality) among retirees, who believe engineers can easily afford houses while considering themselves at the subsistence level.
[P. 13] Confirmation from Others: Other users share similar frustrations, noting that their own retired parents often earn more net income than they do in full-time work (e.g., €3.1k vs. father’s net pension) while owning multiple properties and giving simplistic advice ("just buy it, it will work out").
[P. 74] Civil Servant vs. Pensioner: Some commenters suggest the father is likely a former civil servant (Beamter) combining a high state pension (DRV) with a private pension/pension payout, explaining the extremely high sum, though OP only refers to it as "Rente" (pension).
[P. 129] Wealth Disparity: Several users emphasize that the older generation benefited from economic conditions that made housing affordable (low cost, low interest rates historically) and that retirees are now statistically the wealthiest demographic group in Germany, often living in rent-free, multi-hundred-square-meter homes.
[P. 209] Skepticism and Counterarguments: A few comments dismiss the story as "ragebait" or factually questionable, noting that a €3.2k pension is statistically rare (less than 0.5% of retirees achieve this maximum theoretical amount). Others argue that buying is still possible outside expensive metro areas for DINK (Dual Income No Kids) couples who save aggressively.