Entgeltpunkte: 8 ways to earn pension points in Germany

Updated:
05.10.2026

We recently looked at the issue of receiving a state pension in Germany. To better understand how your pension amount is calculated, it is important to remember the key calculation formula: EP * ZF * AR * RF. In this article, we will examine in detail what each of these abbreviations means and how they affect the final amount of your pension.

Furthermore, we will look at the various ways of accumulating pension points — Entgeltpunkte, which play a decisive role in the formation of your pension capital. Regardless of what stage you are at in your career, knowing these methods will help you better plan for the future and manage your pension savings effectively. Let us look in detail at how you can make the most of the opportunities for accumulating points and what influences their calculation.

What the abbreviations mean

EP - Earnings points

Pension points are the most important factor in calculating your pension. Every year your earnings are compared with the average earnings of all insured persons in the country. If they match the average earnings for that year, they are worth 1 pension point. If your earnings were 80% compared to the average, you will be credited with 0.8 points. Those earning twice the average salary will be credited with about 2 points. This is the maximum number of points per year, regardless of how high your salary is. That is how your personal coefficient is calculated. This calculation relates to pension contributions.

ZF - Access Factor

The age factor. There is a set retirement age (depending on the year of birth). If you retire earlier, this coefficient decreases, and if later, it increases. And the pension, accordingly, becomes smaller or larger.

More details

0.86 48 months early.
0.87 42 months earlier.
0.89 36 months earlier.
0.91 30 months earlier.
0.93 24 months early.
0.95 18 months earlier.
0.96 12 months earlier.
0.98 6 months early.
If leaving on time, the coefficient is 1.0.

earnings type factor

The coefficient depends on the type of your pension:

old-age pension, disability pension and child-rearing pension have a coefficient of 1.0
pensions for partial reduction in work capability – 0.5
orphan pension — 0.2
pension for persons who have lost one parent — 0.1
pensions for widows and widowers - 0.55 or 0.6.

AR - current pension value

The value of a pension point (Aktueller Rentenwert). This figure is calculated in euros and adjusted annually on 1 July, depending on the economic situation. Since 1 July 2026 it has been €42.52. Since 1 July 2023 it has been the same for western and eastern Germany; before that the values differed.
Earlier pension figures are not relevant to the calculation of your pension. What matters is the value of a pension point when you start receiving your pension; after that, your pension is recalculated with the new value every 1 July.

When a person retires on reaching the standard retirement age, the number of EP points they have accumulated is multiplied by the value of one point. Since the other factors equal 1 in this case, they do not affect the size of the pension.

Ways to earn Entgeltpunkte

1. Upbringing and education of children

If your child was born before 1992, then 2.5 years or 30 months can be credited to you as insurance periods, and the so-called “mother’s pension” will bring you 2.5 points. From 1 January 2027 (Mütterrente III), 3 years will be credited — 3 points, as for children born in 1992 or later. The increase will be paid from 2028, with back pay for the months in between.

If you are raising several children at the same time, for example twins or children born close together, the period will be extended. A separate application for the mother’s pension is not required if you are already receiving a pension. If you are only just applying, the application will have to be prepared. If you are an adoptive parent and are applying for the mother’s pension, you must submit an application to the pension insurance institution (Deutsche Rentenversicherung).

If your child was born in 1992 or later, the child-raising period that will be counted towards your pension is up to 3 years for one child (3 points). Only one parent can receive pension points for child-raising. If you are bringing up children together, you can submit a joint declaration (übereinstimmende Erklärung) indicating which period is credited to which parent. If such a declaration has not been submitted, the child-raising period must be credited to the parent who predominantly raised the child. Documents you will usually need for the application:

Insurance number.
Birth certificate.
Information about the other parent.
If you have worked abroad: Confirmation of foreign insurance periods.

If you are raising children and working at the same time, you will receive parenting points in addition to those you earn.

If you have already reached state pension age or are receiving a pension and have given birth to or adopted a child, no additional pension points for upbringing will be credited.

In the case of same-sex parents, priority for receiving points for upbringing is given to the biological parent; if there is no such parent in the couple, then to the one who first acquired the status of parent (adopted the child). In other cases, the points are distributed in equal shares.

Compensation for the child-rearing period applies to children who live and receive their education in Germany. For civil servants, no pension points are accrued for periods of child-rearing.

In addition to this, the time spent raising children can be counted as length of service (up to 10 years after the birth of the youngest child). This period in itself does not grant the right to a pension, but in combination with other periods it can be useful:

You retain the right to receive a pension in connection with partial or total incapacity for work.
It counts towards the minimum qualifying period for almost all old-age pensions.
It can have an impact on increasing the pension when assessing periods of non-contribution.

If you were in employment whilst your child was aged between 3 and 10 and your earnings during that period were below the average wage, the earnings used for your pension can be topped up to the average annual wage of all insured persons, but by no more than 50% of your earnings. Example:

The mother of a 5-year-old child earns 1,900 euros a month, which amounts to 22,800 euros a year. This is approximately 44% of the 2026 average salary (51,944 euros), i.e. 0.44 EP; if we increase this by 50%, we get approximately 0.66 EP, as if she were earning €34,200.

2. Periods of study can be credited.

All, whether at a general school, vocational college or university, now or in the past, should know that periods of education after the age of 17 (a maximum of 8 years) can be recognised by the German pension insurance scheme as so-called creditable periods — these years count towards the overall employment record. Periods of study abroad (Auslandssemester) are also included. However, these periods are not credited automatically: you have to submit your education certificates to the German pension insurance scheme.

3. Top-up for low earnings before 1992.

Low earnings for the period prior to 1992 may be increased to 75% of the average earnings for the calculation year, but by no more than 50% of your own earnings. For example, if your salary was 50% of the average earnings of all insured persons, you will be awarded 0.25 points. This rule applies only to those with 35 years’ insurance history. This entitlement is automatically checked by the German pension insurance scheme; there is no need to submit a separate application.

4. Vocational training in a company (Ausbildung).

You can have a maximum of 3 years’ worth of pension contributions, up to 75%, credited to your account. Example:

An Azubi’s (trainee’s) income is 900 euros a month, which is 10,800 euros for the year. Divide this by the average salary of all insured persons for the year and we get approximately 0.21 EP (2026 average salary: 51,944 euros). In this case, a higher score is possible – up to 0.75 EP. Importantly, the score can be raised to no more than 75% of your own average score over your entire working life, and to no more than 0.75 EP a year. For example, if your average score is 0.6, the Ausbildung period can be credited with no more than 0.45. It is important that Ausbildung periods are correctly registered, not as regular periods of work. If this is not the case, you can request an amendment to your pension account by providing the contract as evidence.

5. Care of a family member.

Care can only be counted if the Pflegegrad (level of care required) is at least 2, you provide care for at least 10 hours a week spread over at least 2 days and you work no more than 30 hours a week.

6. Military service, alternative civilian service and federal volunteer service.

Years spent in service can be counted towards your pension — all pension contributions are paid by the employer.

7. Allowance for recipients of a disability pension.

From July 2024, an allowance has been introduced for those who receive a disability pension. If you started receiving it between 2001 and June 2014, the supplement will be 7.5%. From July 2014 onwards, people with disabilities who were already receiving a pension became eligible for these supplements. Therefore, if your pension began between July 2014 and December 2018, the supplement will be 4.5%.

8. Unemployment benefit.

ALG I

You will continue to accrue pension points, in accordance with pension legislation, as if you were still working in your previous job, with a pensionable earnings rate of 80% based on your recorded income. The same calculation applies if you are receiving sickness benefit.

Pension points are credited to your insurance account under the pension insurance scheme. The current number of your pension points can be found in the “Pension contributions and points” section.

In the event of divorce, the spouses’ pension points are divided equally, but only those that were acquired during the marriage. For example, before the wedding, the husband earned 5 points. Over 10 years of married life, he received another 10 points. Upon divorce, what was accumulated during the marriage is divided in half: if the wife did not work the entire time, she will be credited with 5 of her husband’s points upon divorce.

Grundsicherungsgeld (Bürgergeld until 1 July 2026, before that ALG II)

The period of receiving social assistance is counted towards the overall employment record.

Voluntary contributions

You can increase the number of pension points by paying voluntary contributions. This will help to compensate for those periods when lower contributions were made. For example, if you worked part-time. The right to compensation remains yours even if you leave the company. Furthermore, with special payments, you can retire earlier without incurring reductions to your pension. However, to do this, you must be at least 50 years old. The amount of this payment depends on how many pension points you are lacking – and how many you want to “buy”.

You have the right to pay voluntary contributions if:

You have turned 16 years old
You live in Germany (this also includes foreigners)
You have German citizenship, but you live abroad.
You are receiving an early old-age pension or a partial pension.
You live abroad as a foreigner, but were previously registered with the German pension insurance scheme.
You have reached retirement age, but are not receiving a pension as you have not accumulated 5 years of insurance contributions and have raised one child.
Former employees of international organisations.
Wrongfully imprisoned.
Persons participating in the witness protection programme.

Anyone already receiving the full old-age pension cannot pay voluntary contributions.

Minimum and maximum contribution amounts:
Additional monthly contributions to increase the pension are a minimum of €112.16 and a maximum of €1,571.70 (2026). Generally, the contribution for the previous year can be paid until 31 March of the current year or paid monthly.

We recommend considering a personal pension plan so that you can enjoy your retirement. There are various options, for example the Riester-Rente (state-subsidised pension), which combines insurance and investment (new contracts can only be taken out until 31 December 2026; from 2027 it is replaced by the Altersvorsorgedepot – a pension investment account). It’s quite a long-term project and would suit you if you still have a long working life ahead of you. Basic private pension (Basisrente / Rürup-Rente) – lifetime payout savings. Suitable, if you have recently moved to Germany and have a good job, but do not have much time left to save for a comfortable retirement. Private pension scheme (Fondsgebundene Lebensversicherung) – the opportunity to increase returns through investing, plus tax savings. It makes sense to consider it for the long term (at least 10 years).

These are just some of the pension schemes available. If you want to ensure your financial stability in old age – write to us and we will find a programme tailored specifically for you.

Or book a consultation, and we will discuss all the features of the products on offer.