🧓 Wegweiser Pensioners

Statutory pension, taxes, health insurance, basic income support in old age and housing benefit: the money guide for people of pension age, as of September 2026.

Legal position: September 2026. Pensions rose by 4.24 percent on 1 July 2026; the Aktivrente (tax-free earnings for people working past pension age) and the Occupational Pension Strengthening Act II (Betriebsrentenstärkungsgesetz II) apply; the Pension Provision Reform Act (Altersvorsorgereformgesetz, successor to the Riester pension) starts on 1 January 2027. Not adopted: proposals of the Old-Age Security Commission, the Frühstartrente (early-start pension, cabinet draft), the 2027 housing benefit reform (cabinet draft). These do not apply yet. For the sources, see Sources and limits.

Frequently searched

🎂 Retirement age, types of old-age pension and deductions ✍️ Pension application, deadlines and pension statement 📈 Pension adjustment 2026 and state of reform 🧾 Pension and taxes: taxable share, basic allowance, tax return 🧮 Basic income support in old age (SGB XII) and basic pension supplement 💼 Additional earnings and Aktivrente

All topic areas

🧭Overview and basicsWhat matters financially in retirement and where to find more detail.1 topic 📄Type of pension and applicationTypes of old-age pension, deductions, application, pension statement, checking the notice.3 topics 📈Pension amount and additional earningsPension adjustment 2026, state of reform, Aktivrente.2 topics 🧾Taxes and health insuranceTaxation of pensions, tax return, KVdR and contributions.2 topics 🏠Basic income support, housing benefit, survivorsWhen the pension is not enough, and benefits after a death.3 topics 🛡️Supplementary pensions, abroad, protectionOccupational pension, Riester, pension abroad, fraud.3 topics 🤝Advice and contact pointsFree and verified contact points nationwide.1 topic

🧭 Overview and basics

What matters financially in retirement and where to find more detail.

🧭Overview: money in retirementStatutory pension, tax, health insurance, basic income support, housing benefit: this page shows what matters for money in retirement and where to read on.

📄 Type of pension and application

Types of old-age pension, deductions, application, pension statement, checking the notice.

🎂Retirement age, types of old-age pension and deductionsWhen you can retire depends on your year of birth and your years of insurance. Retiring early permanently costs percentage points. ✍️Pension application, deadlines and pension statementNo application, no pension. If you know the three-calendar-month deadline, you lose no money. The pension statement shows beforehand what you can expect. 🔍Checking the pension notice and objectionThe pension notice can contain errors. You have one month to object.

📈 Pension amount and additional earnings

Pension adjustment 2026, state of reform, Aktivrente.

📈Pension adjustment 2026 and state of reformOn 1 July 2026 pensions rose by 4.24 percent. What already applies, and what is only planned? 💼Additional earnings and AktivrenteIf you receive an old-age pension, you may earn without limit. Since 2026, up to 2,000 euros of wages per month remain tax-free (Aktivrente).

🧾 Taxes and health insurance

Taxation of pensions, tax return, KVdR and contributions.

🧾Pension and taxes: taxable share, basic allowance, tax returnPensions are taxable, but not at 100 percent. If you retire in 2026, you are taxed on 84 percent. Many people still pay no tax. 🩺Health and long-term care insurance for pensioners (KVdR)Pensioners are often compulsorily insured in the health insurance for pensioners (Krankenversicherung der Rentner, KVdR). The pension insurance pays half of the contribution.

🏠 Basic income support, housing benefit, survivors

When the pension is not enough, and benefits after a death.

🧮Basic income support in old age (SGB XII) and basic pension supplementIf your pension is not enough to live on, there is basic income support in old age. The standard rate for single people is unchanged at 563 euros in 2026. 🏠Housing benefit for pensionersHousing benefit (Wohngeld) is a subsidy towards rent or housing costs. Cuts are planned for 2027, not yet adopted. 🕊️Widow's pension, widower's pension and pension splitting on divorceAfter the death of a spouse there is, under certain conditions, a widow's or widower's pension. On divorce, pension entitlements are split.

🛡️ Supplementary pensions, abroad, protection

Occupational pension, Riester, pension abroad, fraud.

🏦Occupational pension, Riester, Rürup and the 2026/2027 reformOccupational pension, Riester and Rürup are supplementary pensions. In 2026 the legislator changed occupational pension law and Riester subsidies. 🌍Pension abroad and proof of lifeGerman pensions are paid worldwide. If you live abroad, you must provide proof of life once a year. 🚨Recognising pension fraud and fake messagesFraudsters pose as the pension insurance. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung never asks for payment details by phone, e-mail or text message.

🤝 Advice and contact points

Free and verified contact points nationwide.

🤝Advice and contact points for pensionersThe Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Sozialamt, housing benefit office, Finanzamt and social associations give advice. This page says who is responsible for what.

For reference

📕Keyword indexAll terms from A to Z, with links to the matching topic pages. 📜Sources and methodWhere the information comes from and what is expressly uncertain. 🏠Other target groupsTo the overview of all Wegweiser portals.

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.