SAVE (Sparen und Altersvorsorge in Deutschland) is a representative data collection about private households’ saving behaviour in Germany. The survey was conducted in 2001 for the first time. About the study In order to improve the research concerning the saving behavior of German households, the Munich Center for the Economics of Aging (MEA) conducts the SAVE survey since 2001 in collaboration with TNS Infratest Sozialforschung. Until 2010, the survey was financed by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). It lays its main emphasis on saving behaviour, old-age provision and wealth creation in Germany. The SAVE-study makes it possible to explore economic, sociological and psychological interdependences. This means that it collects information about income, wealth and old-age provision and about socio-demographic and psychological characteristics. This information includes e.g. expectations, attitudes and the attitude towards risk of the respondents. Since 2005 SAVE is conducted annually. Since respondents remain the same every year (panel), changes in saving behaviour and investment behaviour of households can be tracked over time. The ninth survey for 2011 was conducted in collaboration with the Institute for Employment Research (IAB in Nuremberg, Germany) (http://www.iab.de/en/), which is the research institute of the Federal Employment Agency. This cooperation lead to the linking of information about employment status and social security contributions to answers in SAVE. Sample size Launching the sample in 2001 it was continuously extended in 2003, 2005 and 2006 by inclusion of a new set of households. By the year 2006 the panel reached a high level of stability. In 2007 84% of German households who also participated in 2006 could be interviewed again. In 2008 and 2009 the response rate was even better, namely 89% and 85%. In 2011, 81% of 2010 Respondents were surveyed. Overall, 55% of the participants added in the 2005 refreshment sample, were still in the sample in 2010. The sample size per year is shown in the following table. Range of topics The SAVE study can help to improve research in various areas. The following list shows in detail which topics are covered by the questionnaire: Satisfaction with current life situation Socio-demographic information Social environment (2005–2008) Health (since 2005) Qualitative and quantitative questions about saving behaviour Financial literacy (2007/2008, extensive section in 2009) Consumption behaviour (2003/2004) Qualitative und quantitative questions concerning regular and exceptional income Old-age provision, retirement, entitlements (every year, design changed slightly over time) Financial assets, private old-age provision, real estate assets, business