The German Ministry of Finance has announced that it will decrease the guaranteed interest rate that life insurance providers are allowed to grant for new contracts from 2.25% to 1.75% from January 1, 2012. This means that the same level of contribution will lead to a lower level of guaranteed benefits from January 2012. Companies thinking of switching to a defined contribution plan would thus do well to make the switch as soon as possible. Swiss Life Germany is fully prepared to support companies under the change.