Riester Pension Germany 2026
Last updated: May 20, 2026 · meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Until 31 December 2026 you can still sign a classic Riester contract and lock in up to EUR 475 in annual subsidies. From 1 January 2027 the Altersvorsorgedepot replaces Riester for new contracts.
Key Takeaways
2026 subsidies: EUR 175 basic allowance, EUR 185 or EUR 300 child allowance (depending on birth year), one-off EUR 200 starter bonus under 25.
Tax benefit: Up to EUR 2,100 deductible as special expenses under § 10a German Income Tax Act.
Minimum contribution: 4 % of your previous year gross income, but at least EUR 60 per year (§ 86 EStG) for the full allowance.
Reform: Bundesrat decision of 8 May 2026. New Riester contracts only possible until 31 December 2026. From 2027 the Altersvorsorgedepot applies; existing contracts continue under grandfathering.
Creditor protection: During the saving phase Riester assets are protected under § 851c German Code of Civil Procedure (Hartz-IV-safe).
Key German Terms
Eight German terms you should know before comparing Riester
Riester-Rente
State-subsidised private pension
Grundzulage
Basic allowance: EUR 175 per year
Kinderzulage
Child allowance: up to EUR 300 per child
Eigenbeitrag
4 % of last year gross income, minimum EUR 60
Sonderausgabenabzug
Tax deduction up to EUR 2,100 (§ 10a EStG)
Bestandsschutz
Existing contracts continue under grandfathering
Altersvorsorgedepot
New retirement product replacing Riester from 1 Jan 2027
ZfA
Central allowance office for retirement assets
Riester Reform 2026/2027: What Changes For You
Source: Bundesrat decision of 8 May 2026; Federal Government and Stiftung Warentest (status May 2026).
Deadline: 31 December 2026
From 1 January 2027 no new Riester contracts can be signed. The Altersvorsorgedepot replaces Riester with reformed subsidies. Existing contracts continue under grandfathering and remain eligible for subsidies.
If you want a classic Riester contract, signing before year-end 2026 is the right move, especially for families with children and young professionals.
Riester 2026 versus Altersvorsorgedepot 2027
| Feature | Riester until 2026 | Altersvorsorgedepot from 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic allowance | EUR 175 per year | Up to EUR 540 (50 ct/EUR up to 360 EUR, 25 ct/EUR up to 1,800 EUR contribution) |
| Child allowance | EUR 185 (before 2008) or EUR 300 (from 2008) | Replaced by family component; final rules in the new statute |
| Contribution guarantee | 100 % on contributions plus allowances (AltZertG § 1) | Optional (0 %, 80 % or 100 %) |
| Investment options | Classic, fund-linked, home-finance Riester | ETFs and equities allowed |
| Tax deduction | Up to EUR 2,100 special expenses (§ 10a EStG) | Reformed deduction; details in the statute |
| Payout | Lifelong annuity; 30 % lump-sum option | Flexible payout plan until age 85, annuity optional |
| Frühstartrente for children | Not provided | EUR 10 per month from the state, from birth year 2020 |
Figures based on Federal Government and Stiftung Warentest, status May 2026. Final values follow from the Altersvorsorge-Reformgesetz.
What you should decide now
- Families with children: sign Riester in 2026. The combination of basic and child allowances is hard to beat.
- Young professionals under 25: the one-off EUR 200 starter bonus only exists under Riester. A contract before year-end secures it.
- Yield-oriented savers: if you prefer ETF investments, the new Altersvorsorgedepot from 2027 may suit you better.
- Self-employed without statutory pension contributions: see our Rürup pension comparison and the broader private pension overview.
Important for expats: leaving Germany permanently
If you leave Germany, the rules depend on your destination:
- Within EU or EEA: your Riester contract continues normally. Allowances and tax benefits remain.
- Permanent move to a non-EEA country (e.g. UK, US, Turkey, Switzerland): the förderschädliche Verwendung rule under § 93 and § 95 of the German Income Tax Act applies. Subsidies and tax benefits have to be paid back pro-rata.
- Tip: plan the move early. Ask your provider about payout, dormant status or contribution pause options.
Detailed expat guidance is also published by the Verbraucherzentrale and the Central Allowance Office for Retirement Assets (ZfA).
Need more general expat pension context? See our pension insurance guide for expats in Germany.
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Why Riester can still pay off in 2026
Until the end of 2026 the Riester pension keeps a rare mix of allowances, tax benefit and capital guarantee.
EUR 175 basic allowance
Annual state allowance under § 84 EStG
Up to EUR 300 per child
EUR 300 for children born from 2008, EUR 185 for older children
Tax deduction
Up to EUR 2,100 special expenses under § 10a EStG
Creditor protected
Protected in the saving phase under § 851c ZPO
Lifelong pension
100 % contribution guarantee on contributions and allowances (AltZertG § 1)
Inheritable
Capital passes to family in case of death
How the comparison works
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Frequently Asked Questions: Riester Pension 2026
The questions most expats ask before the reform deadline.
What is the Riester pension subsidy in 2026?
The basic allowance (Grundzulage) is EUR 175 per year. You also get EUR 185 per child born before 2008 or EUR 300 per child born from 2008 onwards. Young professionals under 25 receive a one-off EUR 200 starter bonus. Contributions up to EUR 2,100 can be deducted as special expenses under § 10a EStG.
Can I still sign a Riester contract in 2026?
Yes. The Bundesrat passed the reform on 8 May 2026. You can sign a classic Riester contract until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027 the Altersvorsorgedepot replaces Riester for new contracts. Existing Riester contracts remain eligible for subsidies under grandfathering rules.
What changes with the Riester reform from 2027?
From 1 January 2027 the Altersvorsorgedepot replaces Riester for new contracts. The 100 % contribution guarantee becomes optional, ETF investments are allowed and the state subsidy can reach EUR 540 per year (50 cents per Euro up to EUR 360 contribution, plus 25 cents per Euro up to EUR 1,800 contribution).
Who is eligible for Riester in Germany in 2026?
Direct eligibility covers all employees in the statutory pension scheme, civil servants, soldiers, ALG-I and ALG-II recipients, and parents on child-rearing leave. Spouses can be indirectly eligible if they contribute at least EUR 60 per year.
How much do I have to contribute?
For the full subsidy you contribute 4 % of your previous year gross income, capped at EUR 2,100 minus the subsidies you receive. The absolute floor is EUR 60 per year (§ 86 EStG). Less than that and you only receive a proportional allowance.
What happens to my Riester pension if I leave Germany?
Within the EU or EEA your contract continues normally and subsidies remain. If you move permanently to a non-EEA country such as the UK, the US or Turkey, the förderschädliche Verwendung rule (§ 93 and § 95 EStG) applies: you have to repay subsidies and tax benefits on a pro-rata basis.
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Riester pension in Germany: your state-subsidised retirement plan
The Riester pension (German: Riester-Rente) was introduced in 2002 to compensate for the gradual reduction of the statutory pension level. With allowances, tax benefits and a 100 % contribution guarantee, it has been particularly attractive for families with children and lower-income earners.
Why compare Riester in 2026?
2026 is the final year in which you can still sign a classic Riester contract. The Bundesrat passed the reform on 8 May 2026. A comparison before you sign helps you to:
- Identify providers with transparent terms and low costs
- Review guarantees, pension factor and payout options directly
- Understand the grandfathering rules that apply from 2027
- Pick tariffs that match your family and income situation
How the subsidy and tax benefit work
The German state subsidises Riester in two ways. First through allowances: EUR 175 basic allowance under § 84 EStG, plus child allowances under § 85 EStG. Second through the special expenses deduction in § 10a EStG. The tax office automatically checks which option is more favourable for you in the so-called Günstigerprüfung.
Who benefits most from Riester?
Riester in 2026 is particularly suitable for:
- Families with children: child allowances are hard to beat
- Young professionals under 25: one-off EUR 200 starter bonus
- Lower-income earners: the subsidy ratio is comparatively highest
- Safety-focused savers: 100 % contribution guarantee under AltZertG
If you prefer ETF investments and full flexibility, the Altersvorsorgedepot from 2027 or a regular private pension may suit you better. Self-employed people without statutory pension contributions should also look at the Rürup basic pension.