Wegweiser Occupational disability · Pension & insurance Deutsch

➕ Additional income with the reduced earning capacity pension

Even with a reduced earning capacity pension you may earn additional income within certain limits without the pension being reduced – since 2023 much more generous rules apply than before.

Earnings limit for additional income § 96a SGB VI Reference value (Bezugsgröße) Full reduced earning capacity pension Partial reduced earning capacity pension

In brief

Since 1 January 2023, an individual earnings limit for additional income under § 96a SGB VI has applied to pensions for reduced earning capacity. In case of full reduced earning capacity there is a formula-based minimum earnings limit; in case of partial reduced earning capacity the individual limit is also based on the highest earnings of the last 15 calendar years. If the limit is exceeded, the excess amount is only partly offset against the pension – the pension does not automatically cease entirely.

Step by step

  1. Check the pension notice for the stated earnings limitThe individual limit is stated in the pension notice.
  2. Report income to the pension insuranceChanges in additional income must be reported to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
  3. If you exceed the limit, note the partial offsettingAs a rule the pension does not stop completely but is reduced in stages.
  4. Ask the pension insurance directly for the current amountSince the values are based on the reference value each year, individual information is more reliable than a flat figure.

Deadlines

No statutory deadline
There is no application deadline for additional income itself – but the duty to inform the pension insurance is ongoing as soon as your earnings change.
Watch out – common mistakes
  • This page deliberately gives no fixed euro amount for 2026: the minimum earnings limit depends on the reference value (Bezugsgröße) set anew each year, which can only be determined reliably, as of the current day, from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
  • In case of partial reduced earning capacity, the individual earnings limit can be well above the plain minimum limit if you previously earned well – exceeding it then leads only to offsetting in stages, not to the immediate loss of the pension.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Formula for the minimum earnings limit

§ 96a Abs. 1a SGB VI sets a formula-based minimum earnings limit, which is based on the current reference value (Bezugsgröße) and differs in amount for full and partial reduced earning capacity.

Individual earnings limit

In case of partial reduced earning capacity, an individual earnings limit is also determined from the highest annual earnings of the last 15 calendar years before the reduced earning capacity began, if this is above the minimum limit.

Offsetting of the excess amount

If additional income exceeds the relevant limit, the entire pension is not cancelled; instead the excess amount is partly offset against the pension, graduated by type of pension.

Who is responsible
  • Deutsche Rentenversicherung
Further reading
Reduced earning capacity pension: requirements, qualifying period and applicationTaxes on the reduced earning capacity pension and private BU pension

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Additional income with the reduced earning capacity pension“?
Even with a reduced earning capacity pension you may earn additional income within certain limits without the pension being reduced – since 2023 much more generous rules apply than before.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
No statutory deadline: There is no application deadline for additional income itself – but the duty to inform the pension insurance is ongoing as soon as your earnings change.
What should I do first?
  • Check the pension notice for the stated earnings limit: The individual limit is stated in the pension notice.
  • Report income to the pension insurance: Changes in additional income must be reported to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
  • If you exceed the limit, note the partial offsetting: As a rule the pension does not stop completely but is reduced in stages.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • This page deliberately gives no fixed euro amount for 2026: the minimum earnings limit depends on the reference value (Bezugsgröße) set anew each year, which can only be determined reliably, as of the current day, from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
  • In case of partial reduced earning capacity, the individual earnings limit can be well above the plain minimum limit if you previously earned well – exceeding it then leads only to offsetting in stages, not to the immediate loss of the pension.
Evidence
  • § 96a SGB VI (gesetze-im-internet.de)
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

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