The situation is as well-known as it is urgent: state pension systems will only be able to provide a basic level of support in the future. Therefore, citizens must save privately and build wealth for retirement. However, the financial industry and investors often struggle with this task. Gerd Kommer identifies the reasons for the investment crisis, which lie on both the supply side (financial sector) and the demand side (private investors). Investors frequently have an inadequate understanding of the theoretical and empirical risk-return relationship and make many unnecessary mistakes in their investment decisions. The financial industry exploits these misconceptions to its advantage. Based on this analysis, Gerd Kommer develops a scientifically-based investment approach for private investors. His alternative meets the numerous restrictive conditions that apply to private investors.