đź“… Legal position 2026: what applies, what is only proposed
In brief
These changes apply in 2026: The additional income limits have risen (€20,763.75 and €41,527.50). The credited period ends at age 66 years and 3 months for pensions starting in 2026. Pensions rose by 4.24 percent on 1 July 2026. The Bürgergeld is gradually becoming the Grundsicherungsgeld.
This is only a proposal, not yet law: The Alterssicherungskommission (old-age security commission) recommends, among other things, making the reintegration attempt more attractive for recipients of reduced earning capacity pensions, fundamentally revising the concept of reduced earning capacity and extending trial work from 6 to 12 months. The recommendations do not have the force of law. Until a law is passed, existing law applies.
Step by step
- Apply only current lawRely on laws, notices and information from the pension insurance.
- Put news in contextWhen you read about reforms, check whether an enacted law exists.
- Have the notice updatedIf changes occur, have the notice checked.
Deadlines
- Recommendations of the Alterssicherungskommission (report of June 2026) are not law.
- Do not treat implementation proposals from the commission or politicians as current law.
- For changes, what matters is when they enter into force. Check the status with the pension insurance.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Changes in force
According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (press release of 18 December 2025), the additional income limits rise in 2026 (about €20,700 for full and about €41,500 for partial reduction in earning capacity; exact values €20,763.75 and €41,527.50 according to the DRV announcement of 22 January 2026). The credited period increases by one month to 66 years and 3 months. The contribution assessment ceiling is €8,450 a month, the contribution rate 18.6 percent. On 1 July 2026 pensions rise by 4.24 percent; the 48 percent floor for the pension level applies until 2031. After the decision of the Bundestag (5 March 2026) and Bundesrat (27 March 2026), the Bürgergeld is gradually converted into the Grundsicherungsgeld from 1 July 2026.
Not enacted
The Alterssicherungskommission has proposed 33 measures. According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the recommendations do not have the force of law, and only existing pension law applies until a law is passed. On the reduced earning capacity pension, according to the DRV's account the commission recommends making the reintegration attempt (§ 43 Abs. 7 SGB VI) in place since 1 January 2024 more attractive, and strengthening the principle "prevention and rehabilitation before pension". In addition it recommends (recommendation 10) a fundamental revision of the concept of reduced earning capacity with greater consideration of concrete placement chances for a 3-hour work capacity, as well as extending trial work from 6 to 12 months. There is still no law on this either. Draft laws for implementation were not checked; a change to the definition of reduced earning capacity has not been enacted according to the sources checked.
Not checked
Further changes to sickness benefit or Nahtlosigkeit were not checked in a primary source.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.