Pension planning in 2027 is shaped by several reforms. From 1 January 2027, the new Altersvorsorgedepot (pension depot) is set to start, and the Frühstart-Rente (early start pension) is intended for children. This hub brings together the guides on these changes, on Riester and occupational pensions, and on the statutory pension, so you can read the topics in a sensible order. For the general basics of pension planning for students, see Altersvorsorge für Studenten (in German).
Short answer: The Altersvorsorgedepot (pension depot) is set to start on 1 January 2027, after the Bundesrat approved the law on 8 May 2026. The state grant is 50 cents per euro on the first 360 euros of your own contribution and 25 cents per euro on a further 1,440 euros, up to 540 euros per year. The Frühstart-Rente pays the federal government’s 10 euros per month for each eligible child, but the legislative process is not yet complete (as of November 2026).
The most important points at a glance
- The Altersvorsorgedepot is a state-supported pension product that is set to start on 1 January 2027 under the law.
- The basic grant reaches its maximum of 540 euros per year with a contribution of 1,800 euros.
- Under current law, the Riester basic grant is 175 euros per year.
- The Frühstart-Rente provides 10 euros per month for each eligible child, with payouts possible from age 65 at the earliest.
- The Frühstart-Rente is not yet fully enacted. The Bundesrat and promulgation are still outstanding.
What changes with the Altersvorsorgedepot?
The Altersvorsorgedepot supplements the statutory pension as a private, funded form of provision. The state support depends on your own contribution, so check your income before you commit. The table compares the current Riester rules with the new ones.
| Feature | Riester (current law) | Altersvorsorgedepot (from 1 January 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic grant | 175 euros per year (§ 84 EStG, as of November 2026) | 50 cents per euro on the first 360 euros of your contribution, then 25 cents per euro on a further 1,440 euros, up to 540 euros per year |
| Child allowance | under § 85 EStG | up to 300 euros per child and year |
| Legislative status | current law | Bundesrat approved on 8 May 2026, start under the law on 1 January 2027 |
Worked example: how do you reach 540 euros in basic grants?
Assumption: you pay 1,800 euros of your own contribution per year. The subsidy is then calculated as follows:
- The first 360 euros are subsidised at 50 percent, which is 180 euros.
- The further 1,440 euros are subsidised at 25 percent, which is 360 euros.
- Together, this gives a basic grant of 540 euros per year.
If you contribute less, the subsidy is lower accordingly. The guide on comparing costs shows which charges a product adds on top. The child allowance of up to 300 euros per child comes on top and is explained in the guide on the child allowance.
How does the Frühstart-Rente work?
The Frühstart-Rente is a state contribution for children that flows into a funded Altersvorsorgedepot. According to a notice from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German statutory pension insurance) dated 13 August 2026, the federal government pays 10 euros per child and month. Children with their first residence in Germany are eligible from the age of six until they reach adulthood. The rules are intended to take effect on 1 January 2027, and first payments are planned for 2027. Parents can top up voluntarily. Payouts to the child are possible from age 65 at the earliest.
Riester, occupational pension or Altersvorsorgedepot: which option fits?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If you already hold a Riester contract, first check the costs, guarantees and subsidy of that contract. If you are offered an occupational pension, compare it with the Altersvorsorgedepot before you sign a new contract. For a personal assessment of your situation, you can ask Academycon for advice: So arbeiten wir (in German).
Frequently asked questions about pension planning 2027
When does the Altersvorsorgedepot start?
The law provides for a start on 1 January 2027, after the Bundesrat approved it on 8 May 2026. Providers decide which products are available from the first day. Ask them directly about their current offer.
Do I get the full basic grant with a small contribution?
No. A contribution of 360 euros per year exhausts the first subsidy tier. The maximum of 540 euros is only reached with a contribution of 1,800 euros per year. Below that level, the subsidy falls accordingly.
Do I have to cancel my Riester contract now?
No, an immediate cancellation is not provided for. Existing Riester contracts continue after the reform for the time being. Whether a switch to an Altersvorsorgedepot makes sense depends on the costs of your existing contract. The guide on continuing Riester contracts sets out the trade-offs.
Does my child have to apply for the Frühstart-Rente?
The law that is not yet promulgated governs whether and how parents must register for the Frühstart-Rente. Rely on the information published by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung once it is available. The guide on registration summarises what to look out for.
Has the Frühstart-Rente already been passed?
Partly. According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the Bundestag passed the law on 16 October 2026. The Bundesrat and promulgation are still outstanding, so the rule does not yet count as final law.
Which children receive the Frühstart-Rente first?
According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the subsidy starts with children born in 2020, and each following year adds the cohort that turns six. The guide on the 2020 cohort explains the order in more detail.
What to do now
- Check whether you or your family already have a Riester contract or an occupational pension, and note the costs and term.
- Work out your possible contribution before you choose a product. The worked example above shows how the subsidy is calculated.
- Compare offers by costs, product type and payout plan. Promises in advertising say little about the eventual result.
- Follow the legislative process for the Frühstart-Rente until promulgation, and check the information from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Related guides: all articles in this topic group
The guides below go deeper into individual questions. They are arranged by subtopic. Titles are in German.
Pension depot (Altersvorsorgedepot)
- Altersvorsorgedepot: Ab welchem Einkommen lohnt es sich? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot Zulage berechnen: 50 Cent je Euro bis 360 Euro (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot Rechner: Was am Ende auf dem Konto steht (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot steuerlich absetzen: Zulage oder Sonderausgaben? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot vergleichen: Worauf es bei Kosten ankommt (in German)
- Standarddepot 2027: Was der Staat für Unentschlossene vorsieht (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot jetzt abschließen oder bis 2027 warten? (in German)
- Welche Rendite ist beim Altersvorsorgedepot realistisch? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot Kinderzulage: 300 Euro pro Kind und Jahr (in German)
- Lohnt sich ein Garantieprodukt im Altersvorsorgedepot? (in German)
- Was bedeutet ein Auszahlplan über 20 Jahre beim Altersvorsorgedepot? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot Zulage: Wer sie bekommen kann und wer nicht (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot vererben: Was mit dem Guthaben im Todesfall passiert (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot vorzeitig auszahlen: Geht das und was kostet es? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot und Schonvermögen: Ist das Guthaben geschützt? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot Anbieter wechseln: Geht das später noch? (in German)
Early Start Pension (Frühstart-Rente)
- Welche Kinder bekommen die Frühstart-Rente zuerst? (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente anmelden: Muss man als Elternteil einen Antrag stellen? (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente oder Sparplan fürs Kind: Was ist besser? (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente beschlossen? Was feststeht und was noch offen ist (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente auf ein eigenes Depot übertragen: Was bis 25 zu tun ist (in German)
- Wann wird die Frühstart-Rente ausgezahlt, und warum erst mit 65? (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente Standarddepot: Lohnt sich ein Depot für Kinder? (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente aufstocken: Lohnt sich eine Zuzahlung der Eltern? (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente Steuer-ID: Braucht mein Kind eine Steuernummer? (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente und Kindergeld: Was ändert sich für Familien? (in German)
- Sind die Erträge der Frühstart-Rente steuerfrei? (in German)
Riester and occupational pensions
- Riester-Vertrag weiterlaufen lassen oder kündigen? (in German)
- Riester wechseln: Was der Umstieg ins Altersvorsorgedepot kostet (in German)
- Riester-Rente nach der Reform: Was bei der Auszahlung passiert (in German)
- Betriebsrente oder Altersvorsorgedepot: Welche Option passt zu dir? (in German)
- Betriebsrentenstärkungsgesetz II: Was Arbeitnehmer wissen müssen (in German)
- Unverfallbarkeit der Betriebsrente: Was beim Jobwechsel bleibt (in German)
- Direktversicherung oder Pensionskasse: Welche Betriebsrente steckt drin? (in German)
- Lohnt sich eine Kapitallebensversicherung als Altersvorsorge noch? (in German)
- Private Rentenversicherung: Lohnt sie sich als Berufseinsteiger noch? (in German)
- Bausparen als Altersvorsorge: Lohnt sich das noch? (in German)
- Zusatzversorgung im öffentlichen Dienst: Was Angestellte wissen müssen (in German)
Statutory pension and pension level
- Rentenniveau bis 2031: Bleibt die gesetzliche Rente stabil? (in German)
- Rente mit 70: Was die Debatte für junge Erwachsene bedeutet (in German)
- Haltelinie beim Rentenniveau: Was nach 2031 passieren könnte (in German)
- Promotion und Rentenversicherung: Muss ich Beiträge zahlen? (in German)
- Rentenabschlag: Was ein früherer Renteneintritt kostet (in German)
- Regelaltersgrenze 67: Ab welchem Jahrgang gilt sie für dich? (in German)
- Kindererziehungszeiten in der Rente: Was angerechnet wird (in German)
- Altersvorsorge für Frauen: Teilzeit, Kinder und Rentenlücke (in German)
- Welche Zeiten zählen für die Rentenwartezeit von 5 Jahren? (in German)
- Muss ich als Selbstständiger in die Rentenversicherung einzahlen? (in German)
- Rentenantrag stellen: Wann du ihn brauchst und was drinsteht (in German)
- Referendariat und Rentenversicherung: Zahlt man dort Beiträge? (in German)
Basics
- Drei-Säulen-Modell der Altersvorsorge: Was ist das? (in German)
Sources
Sources:
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung: Federal cabinet approves draft law on the Frühstart-Rente (status 13 August 2026, in German)
- Bundesrat, printed paper 206/26 on the pension reform law (status May 2026, in German)
- § 84 EStG, basic grant (current law, as of November 2026, in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
