Overview

• The government confirmed that drawing a statutory pension is a prerequisite for accessing the Aktivrente benefits.
• The annual tax-free earnings threshold rises from €12,096 to €24,000, effectively permitting up to €2,000 in untaxed monthly income.
• Retirees continue without obligation to pay into pension or unemployment insurance on their additional earnings.
• Early remarks by Hendrik Hoppenstedt led to misunderstandings about eligibility and prompted a public correction.
• Legal analysts say the reform closely mirrors the 2017 Flexirente and question whether the changes deliver new incentives.