Minimum pension in Germany: why there is none and what is paid instead
“How much is the minimum pension in Germany?” is one of the most common questions about the German pension system. The short answer: there is no statutory minimum pension. There is only a minimum
Direktversicherung in Germany: what is deducted at payout
The Direktversicherung is the most common route to a company pension in Germany. The employer signs the contract, contributions come out of gross salary, and the whole thing is arranged in one conversation with HR. The questions come at the end: when the money is paid out, health fund contributions are deducted from it. Here is how much, why it runs for ten years, and who pays nothing at all.
Orphan pension in Germany: Waisenrente for children
When a parent dies, the child is entitled to a pension of their own — the Waisenrente. It is separate from the
Company pensions for employers: the duties of a company in Germany
This page is about the duties of the company. If you want to know what a bAV gives you personally as an employee, see our overview of the
Betriebsrente: the pension from your employer in Germany
Betriebliche Altersvorsorge, or bAV for short, is the pension you build up through your employer. Formally it is his promise to pay you money once you retire: a lifelong pension or a single lump sum. The money usually comes out of your own salary, but before tax and social contributions, and the employer has to add his share on top.
Early start pension: the state is opening a pension depot for children
On 12 August 2026, the Cabinet approved the Frühstartrente act. From the age of six, a child receives €10 a month into a pension fund.
Residence permit in Germany after 45 years of age
Rule 45+ in 2026: salary from €4,647.50 per month under Section 18a and Section 18b or a pension provision. And why the Blue Card does not fall under this rule.
Do pensioners pay tax?
Pensions in Germany are taxable, but far from entirely and not for everyone. For the majority of standard old-age pension recipients, no tax arises at all: the amount does not reach the tax-free allowance. For those who receive more or have other income, the tax is calculated according to rules that are worth understanding in advance.
Who the Riester pension is not right for
. From 1 January 2027, the scheme is being closed to new contracts—it will be replaced by the Altersvorsorgedepot, which offers three times the government top-up. Existing contracts will remain in force; nobody is terminating them or transferring them compulsorily.
Fondsgebundene Lebensversicherung: Will pension savings schemes with investment funds be a good deal in 2026?
Unit-linked pension insurance in Germany: guaranteed annuity factor, the 12/62 tax rule, effective costs and a 12-point checklist for choosing a tariff.
Rürup-Rente — a private pension scheme with state subsidies
Rürup-Rente: a pension for the self-employed with tax relief options
State pension in Germany
Retirement age table by year of birth, how pension points are calculated, what 35 contribution years give you and the deductions for early retirement.
Financial security for retired women in Germany
Financial security in retirement is the key to a calm and free life. However, women in Germany face a whole range of obstacles: lower salaries, career breaks and insufficient attention to pension planning. In this article, you will learn what steps will help you avoid financial risks and secure your financial safety.
Everything you need to know about Vermögenswirksame Leistungen
What VL is, how much your employer adds, how to claim both state bonuses at once and what to do if your employer does not pay Vermögenswirksame Leistungen.
Pflegeversicherung in Germany: long-term care insurance
long-term care insurance (Pflegefall). It helps cover the costs of medical and domestic care for people who can no longer fully look after themselves due to age, illness or disability. This insurance is part of the social security system in Germany and is compulsory for everyone insured with a statutory or private health insurance fund.
