The Investment Scientist

Last year on a train trip in Germany, I got to know a retired German doctor and we became good friends. When I travel to Germany to see my children, sometimes he invites me to stay at his home. He lives in a very humble place, a one-bedroom apartment with a monthly rent of about $700. When I stay with him, I coachsurf in his living room since he does not have a guestroom. 

Out of professional interest, I asked him about his income during his working years and how he provided for his retirement security. As an internist, he made about $100k a year. He does not receive the German national social security income. Instead, his pension is currently provided by a doctor’s association he belongs to. This pension pays him about $60k a year. He has no real property to his name, other than an old beat-up VW. 

He lives in the Rhein River area near a train station. The two banks of the Rhein river are not only picturesque but also historical – dotted with old castles. Every morning he wakes up at 5 and takes a 30 minute train ride to hike his favorite mountain. He arrives back home around 9 am to have a breakfast of coffee and German brot (bread). I joined him once, and the hike was strenuous, lasting for a few hours.