The Altersvorsorgedepot (a state-supported private pension depot, in German) is an adopted reform of private retirement provision that is expected to take effect on 1 January 2027. Whether it is worth it for you depends mainly on your own contribution, your marginal tax rate and your investment horizon, rather than on a fixed income threshold.
Short answer: The rules do not give a fixed income level above which the Altersvorsorgedepot pays off. What matters is your own contribution and your personal tax rate. The basic allowance (Grundzulage) is 50 cents per euro of your own contribution up to 360 euros a year, so the maximum state allowance is 540 euros a year. Status: November 2026, reform adopted, start expected on 1 January 2027.
The most important points at a glance
- The Altersvorsorgedepot has been adopted. The start is planned for 1 January 2027.
- The basic allowance is 50 cents per euro of your own contribution, up to 360 euros a year.
- Contributions of up to 1,800 euros a year are eligible, and the allowance is capped at 540 euros a year.
- A tax benefit through the special expense deduction only applies if it is more favourable for you than the allowance.
- If you sign up before age 25, a one-off start bonus of 200 euros may apply.
- Whether the depot pays off depends on your personal tax and saving situation, not on a flat income threshold.
How high is the allowance at each contribution level?
The allowance depends on the amount you pay in yourself. Up to 360 euros a year you receive 50 cents per euro. For the further amounts up to 1,800 euros you receive 25 cents per euro. The table below works through four examples.
| Own contribution per year | Allowance per year | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 360 euros | 180 euros | 50 percent of 360 euros |
| 600 euros | 240 euros | 180 euros plus 25 percent of 240 euros |
| 1,200 euros | 390 euros | 180 euros plus 25 percent of 840 euros |
| 1,800 euros | 540 euros | 180 euros plus 25 percent of 1,440 euros |
Assumption: you pay in 150 euros a month. That makes 1,800 euros a year and an allowance of 540 euros a year, or 45 euros a month. This amount is state support, not a return. The growth of the depot depends on market developments.
Why the starting point matters
The allowance is calculated again each year in which you contribute. If you start earlier, you receive the support over more years. Example: if you pay in 1,800 euros a year from age 25, you could receive up to 540 euros of allowance each year until retirement, provided the rules stay unchanged. The decision does not depend on the allowance alone. You should also consider how long the money stays tied up. Payouts follow fixed statutory rules that you should check before signing up.
Is the Altersvorsorgedepot worth it from a certain income level?
A euro threshold above which the depot pays off cannot be derived from the rules. The amount of the basic allowance depends on your own contribution, not on your salary. The tax benefit works differently. The special expense deduction becomes more valuable the higher your marginal tax rate is. According to the information available so far, the deduction remains, but it only takes effect if it is more favourable for you than the allowance. The exact amount is best checked with your last tax assessment and a tax adviser.
When does the depot suit you, and when less so?
| Situation | Points towards it | Points against it |
|---|---|---|
| Career start before age 25 | The one-off bonus of 200 euros is possible | The bonus only applies when you sign up before 25 |
| High marginal tax rate | The special expense deduction can pay off | Without the tax benefit, the allowance matters most |
| Low tax rate | The allowance does not depend on the tax rate | A deduction brings little |
| Short investment horizon | Little room to manoeuvre | Returns fluctuate, and payouts follow fixed rules |
The table does not replace a check of your own situation. A personal assessment is available in a conversation, for example through Academycon (in German).
What does this mean for students and working students?
If you earn little during your studies, first look at your own contribution. The full basic allowance requires 360 euros a year, which is 30 euros a month. Whether and how income from a mini-job or working-student job affects the support is set out in the law and must be checked case by case. An overview of other deductions during your studies is in Steuerliche Vorteile im Studium: Das kannst du 2026 absetzen (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Does the Altersvorsorgedepot already apply this year?
No. The reform has been adopted, and the start is planned for 1 January 2027. According to the documents available to us, the Bundesrat approved it on 8 May 2026. Until the start, the existing rules for private state-supported pensions still apply, for example the Riester basic allowance of 175 euros a year.
Do I have to pay in the maximum amount to receive an allowance?
No. The basic allowance grows with every euro of your own contribution up to 360 euros a year. You only reach the maximum of 540 euros with 1,800 euros of your own contribution a year. Smaller contributions are also supported, but the allowance is then lower.
What does the start bonus give?
If you open the depot before your 25th birthday, you may receive a one-off 200 euros. The statute sets out which contracts count and when the credit is paid. Do not plan with the bonus until you have checked the conditions.
What happens to my existing Riester pension?
According to the information on the reform, new Riester contracts in the previous form are not meant to be created any more. What applies to existing contracts depends on the individual contract. An overview of the decision is in Riester-Vertrag weiterlaufen lassen oder kündigen? (in German).
Who gives binding information?
The statutory text and the statements of the responsible bodies are binding, above all the Deutsche Rentenversicherung and your tax office. For the tax effect in an individual case, a tax adviser can help.
Does it make sense to sign up before the start?
Whether signing up before the start makes sense depends on your situation. The trade-offs are described in Altersvorsorgedepot jetzt abschließen oder bis 2027 warten? (in German).
How to proceed now
- Decide how much you can contribute every year, and compare that amount with 360 and 1,800 euros.
- Find your marginal tax rate on your last tax assessment and calculate both options.
- Read the rules on allowance, bonus and the special expense deduction in the statutory text.
- Compare products once they are available from the start date, and pay attention to the costs.
Related articles
- Altersvorsorge 2027: Der Überblick zu Depot, Frühstart-Rente und Riester (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot Zulage berechnen: 50 Cent je Euro bis 360 Euro (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot steuerlich absetzen: Zulage oder Sonderausgaben? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot Rechner: Was am Ende auf dem Konto steht (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot 2027: Förderung und Bonus für junge Leute (in German)
Sources: Bundesrat, Drucksache 206/26 on the Altersvorsorgereformgesetz (status 2026) and Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Altersvorsorgereformgesetz (status October 2026)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
