New pension offer
Every second person fails to register
09/01/2026 – 07:06 amReading time: 2 minutes
Digital pension overviews and electronic patient files are intended to make important information more easily accessible to insured people. But many users don’t get access at all.
The digital pension overview is intended to provide a quick overview of the entire pension provision. The electronic patient record In turn, all health data, i.e. doctor’s letters, medication lists and findings, should be stored in one place and thus make treatment easier.
Well known, but rarely used
According to the study authors, registration often proves to be the “eye of the needle”. Almost every second person failed here. According to Wilke, the technical requirements are often lacking. To access the ePA, a special app from the respective health insurance company and digital proof of identity are required, for example via a health card with a PIN or via the online function of the ID card.
However, if you want to use the digital pension overview, you also need an ID card with online functionality and yours Tax ID and an app. For many it is too complex. In addition, if you don’t have a smartphone, internet access or the latest operating system, you can’t use the ePA and pension overview, notes Wilke.
Big social differences
Overall, the study reveals striking social differences. People with little education, low income or little digital affinity are particularly left out.
Example ePA: While 27 percent of those surveyed with a high level of education have already tried to register, the figure was only 17 percent of people with a lower level of education. These also fail more often when registering. Only five percent of those surveyed with a secondary school diploma said they used the ePA. For people with a university degree, however, the proportion was 14 percent.
However, those who have managed to register actually report benefits from the digital offerings. Many respondents praised the better overview of their situation and the information they gained. However, actual behavioral changes can only be observed to a limited extent.
Overall, from the point of view of the two sociologists, there is little to suggest that ePA and pension overviews will become information instruments for the general public. This is simply because significant parts of the population are not addressed or are excluded due to the high level of complexity.
