Overview
- The law holds the statutory pension level at 48 percent through 2031, keeps the contribution rate at 18.6 percent, and signals about a 3.7 percent increase in July 2026, backed by sizeable federal transfers.
- The Aktivrente now allows retirees to earn up to €2,000 per month tax‑free from social‑insurance employment, and earnings limits for disability pensions rise significantly.
- For 2026, the official average earnings used to calculate pension points is €51,944, so one Entgeltpunkt requires that annual income.
- Support for low‑income retirees remains in place, with Wohngeld as a legal entitlement and unchanged asset benchmarks of €60,000 plus €30,000 per additional person, and broadcast‑fee exemptions available retroactively for up to three years.
- Official data show more than 3.7 million retirees were in poverty in 2024 as a cross‑party discussion grows over linking retirement access to 45 contribution years, which remains a proposal rather than law.