Overview

• Finanztip reports more than five million Riester contract cancellations since launch, including nearly 220,000 from January to August 2025, citing low payouts and calling for low‑cost, ETF‑based reforms.
• A draft law would lift the total pension contribution rate to 18.8% in 2027, split 9.4% each for employees and employers, with Bundestag approval still required and a higher reserve target potentially prompting a one‑off jump.
• For first‑time pensioners in 2025, 83.5% of the gross statutory pension is taxable, with health and long‑term care insurance contributions deductible and the basic allowance at 12,096 euros for single filers.
• The Deutsche Rentenversicherung pays pensions applied for after April 2004 at month‑end for the month just ended, whereas pre‑April 2004 pensions arrive at the start of the month in advance; October 2025 payments fall on October 30 for newer cases.
• Retirees can raise future entitlements via voluntary contributions only if not drawing a full regular old‑age pension, including by opting for a part‑pension; 2025 examples range from about 103 euros monthly adding roughly 5 euros to the pension per year to about 1,497 euros adding roughly 75 euros.