“Opting In” refers to voluntary self-insurance with the Social Insurance Institution for Commerce and Trade (Sozialversicherungsanstalt der gewerblichen Wirtschaft, SVS) if income from self-employed work in any given year fell short of the compulsory insurance limit. The limit gets adapted every year. SVS offers the opportunity of enrolling in a quite favorable voluntary health and accident insurance. However, no pension insurance contributions are paid. But: spouses and children can be included into this voluntary insurance.