Like all new self-employed, self-employed artists subject to compulsory insurance must pay 1.53% of the assessment basis as a monthly contribution into a pension fund since 2008. If self-employed work is discontinued or the person retires, these amounts give rise to benefits which are similar to the severance pay/new system for employees.

A claim to a benefit/pay-out exists if contributions were paid for at least three years and the business activity has been discontinued for at least two years or if the person has reached the statutory retirement age. The amount of the benefits depends on the level of contributions paid and on the performance of the pension insurance fund. The pension funds inform the insured persons annually about their current balance of accounts.