Overview

• More than five million Riester contracts have been cancelled overall, including about 220,000 from January to August 2025, with Finanztip calling the scheme a failure.
• Average Riester payouts remain low, with those starting in 2022 receiving about €1,581 per year (€132 per month) before taxes, and government figures showing only modest averages for newer cohorts.
• From 1 January 2026, workers must earn €51,944 a year (€4,328 per month) to gain one Entgeltpunkt, the highest threshold to date, outpacing the 3.74% pension increase that took effect in July 2025.
• For 2025, singles have a €12,096 basic tax allowance and new retirees face an 83.5% taxable share of their gross pension, with health and long-term care contributions reducing taxable income.
• Voluntary pension contributions are barred once someone draws a full old-age pension at regular retirement age, but are allowed in other cases in 2025 between €103.42 and €1,497.30 per month, and a partial pension can enable continued contributions.