But anyone who buys in should know one important rule, otherwise the intended tax advantage can be lost retroactively. It concerns the blocking period.
After a buy-in, a three-year blocking period applies, specifically for capital withdrawals. This means: anyone who buys in voluntarily may not withdraw the pension savings as a lump sum in the three years thereafter. If they do, the tax deduction for the buy-in is refused retroactively. The important qualification: the blocking period concerns the capital withdrawal. A pure pension withdrawal is not affected in the same way. So it is not the case that no blocking period applies at all, nor is the period simply tied to a certain age, but rather to the form of withdrawal within the three years.
For practice this means above all one thing: anyone who wants to buy in shortly before retirement and then withdraw the capital must plan the sequence and timing carefully. Anyone who observes the three-year period secures the tax advantage without nasty surprises. Early planning, ideally with professional guidance, is particularly worthwhile here.