Pensiqo

German pension key figures 2026: pension value, allowance and rates

Updated:

The most important figures of the German state pension at a glance: from the pension value and the basic tax allowance to the health and care insurance rates, each with the date it applies from and its official source.

Pension and tax key figures in force on 25 September 2026
FigureValueApplies fromBeforeSource
Pension value (monthly pension for 1 pension point)€42.52€40.79deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
Standard pension (45 pension points), gross per month€1,913.40€1,835.55deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
Average earnings per year (provisional)€51,944€50,493recht.bund.de
Pension insurance contribution ceiling per year€101,400€96,600recht.bund.de
Pension insurance contribution rate18.6%–deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
Basic income tax allowance per year€12,348€12,096gesetze-im-internet.de
Taxable share for pensions starting this year84%83.5%gesetze-im-internet.de
Lump-sum expense allowance for pensions per year€102–gesetze-im-internet.de
Solidarity surcharge exemption limit (income tax, single assessment)€20,350€19,950gesetze-im-internet.de
Solidarity surcharge exemption limit (joint assessment)€40,700€39,900gesetze-im-internet.de
Aktivrente: tax-free wages per month€2,000–gesetze-im-internet.de
General health insurance contribution rate14.6%–gesetze-im-internet.de
Of which paid by pensioners (half)7.3%–gesetze-im-internet.de
Average additional health insurance contribution2.9%2.5%bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
Long-term care insurance rate (with children)3.6%–bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
Long-term care insurance rate without children (with surcharge)4.2%–bundesgesundheitsministerium.de

What the figures mean for your pension

Each pension point (Entgeltpunkt) in your pension account is worth €42.52 of monthly pension (since 1 July 2026, before €40.79). Someone who earned exactly the average wage for 45 years reaches the standard pension of €1,913.40 gross. How much of it is left after deductions is shown in the net pension table.

Deductions from the pension

Pensioners pay half of the general health insurance rate (7.3%) and half of their fund's additional contribution (on average 2.9%); the pension insurance pays the other half. They pay long-term care insurance (3.6%, without children 4.2%) on their own. Income tax is only due above the basic allowance of €12,348; how much of the pension is taxable is shown in the taxable share table.

When the figures change

The pension value rises every year on 1 July. The basic allowance, the contribution ceiling and average earnings usually change on 1 January; the average additional contribution is set each autumn for the following year. This page and all calculators are recalculated with every change; How Pensiqo calculates explains how.

Legal basis and sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the German pension value in 2026?

The pension value (aktueller Rentenwert) is €42.52 since 1 July 2026. Before, it was €40.79. One pension point is therefore worth €42.52 of monthly pension.

How much is the German standard pension (Eckrente)?

The standard pension for 45 pension points is €1,913.40 gross a month. It is a reference figure: actual pensions are on average much lower, because few people earn exactly the average wage for 45 years.

What is the basic tax allowance for pensioners in 2026?

Pensioners have the same basic allowance as everyone else: €12,348 a year, twice that for joint assessment. From what pension tax is actually due is shown in the taxable share table.

How much health insurance do pensioners pay in 2026?

Half of the general rate, 7.3%, plus half of their own fund's additional contribution (on average 2.9%, of which half). Long-term care insurance comes on top at 3.6%, or 4.2% without children.

How much can I earn tax-free with the Aktivrente?

Since 2026, up to €2,000 of wages a month stay tax-free if you keep working after reaching the standard retirement age. The Aktivrente calculator shows what that means for you.

What share of a pension starting in 2026 is taxable?

84%; a year earlier it was 83.5%. The values for every start year are in the taxable share table.