Free personal plan" sounds like a service. Economically, it is a sales system that markets tax arguments as returns and prices the costs into long contract terms. Why many end up better off with a simple ETF portfolio.

The current reduction in personnel affects almost all sectors in Germany. Automotive suppliers such as Bosch, airlines like Lufthansa, and most recently the media conglomerate RTL are cutting thousands of jobs. A common feature of many programs is that companies try to cushion layoffs through voluntary departures and severance payments.

At the beginning of 2026, fund investors must again expect an increase in tax prepayment. The reason is the higher base interest rate, which is used to calculate the advance lump sum. The relevant interest rate is that of the key date January 2, 2025, which, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance, stands at 2.53 percent, slightly above the previous year's value.

When Aldous Huxley published his novel "Brave New World" in 1932, he described a society that breaks away from familiar orders. Looking ahead to 2026, this comparison seems remarkably contemporary. The capital markets are increasingly departing from the rule-based stability that has provided investors with guidance for decades. In its place are power politics, technological dominance, and structural upheavals.

Successful investing is neither a coincidence nor a matter of insider tips. It is the result of understanding, structure, and discipline. But how does one get there? Is it enough to acquire the knowledge on your own? Is a traditional financial advisor the right approach? Or does a structured investor education lead to sustainable investment success? A comparison of the three most common paths reveals clear differences—and explains why more and more investors are turning to models like AlleAktien Investors.

2026 begins in a phase where economic reality and long-term opportunities rarely overlap so clearly. Interest rates have returned, valuations are becoming more differentiated again, and quality companies stand out more clearly than in previous years. For investors who invest systematically and do not rely on short-term trends, this opens up a new environment. Platforms like AlleAktien are precisely addressing this.

From 2026, employers in the European Union will be required to disclose significantly more information about salaries. The basis for this is the Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970, which must be transposed into national law by June 7, 2026. The aim of the reform is to reduce the pay gap between men and women and systematically uncover discrimination. In Germany, the impending implementation is already causing political and economic controversies.