The Standarddepot (a standard depot within the Altersvorsorgedepot, in German) is one of the product types provided for in the reform. It is aimed at people who do not want to choose a product themselves, and it comes with a legally capped cost level. Whether it suits you depends on your investment preference and your time horizon.
Short answer: The standard depot is planned to be available from 1 January 2027 and is designed as a simple option with capped costs. The exact cost ceiling is set out in the statute and should be checked there. Whether a guarantee exists depends on how the product is designed. Status: November 2026, reform adopted, start expected on 1 January 2027.
The most important points at a glance
- The standard depot is one product type within the Altersvorsorgedepot.
- It is intended as a simple option for people who do not want to choose themselves.
- The costs are capped by law, and the cap can be found in the statutory text.
- Whether a guarantee exists depends on the specific design of the product, not on its name.
- A comparison with other product types is worthwhile before you commit.
What is a standard depot?
The standard depot is one of the product types planned alongside a depot without a guarantee and a guarantee product. The term describes an offer with fixed key features, in particular on costs. If you want to look at products with more choice, the comparison article offers more guidance. The name alone says nothing about return or security. What counts are the conditions that the provider states in the product information sheet.
Who is the standard depot meant for?
The right product depends heavily on your life situation. The table below sorts typical situations. It serves as an orientation, not as a recommendation.
| Situation | Points towards it | Points against it |
|---|---|---|
| Little time for an own choice | Simple, fixed key features | Your own product choice is limited |
| Long investment period | Fluctuations have more time to even out | Returns are not guaranteed |
| Short investment period | Hardly, because fluctuations remain noticeable | Returns can be lower at the payout date |
| Wish for security | Compare guarantee products | A depot without a guarantee carries market risk |
Which costs apply to the standard depot?
The law caps the costs of the standard depot. The exact ceiling and its calculation are set out in the statutory text and the explanatory memorandum. For a cautious calculation, you can use a higher cost rate than the one the provider states. That shows how costs affect the final result. A comparison of different products is in the article Altersvorsorgedepot vergleichen: Worauf es bei Kosten ankommt (in German).
Does the standard depot suit a career start?
For people starting their career, the standard depot is mainly interesting if the effort of choosing should stay small. The career start is also the time when the 200 euro bonus for signing up before age 25 may become relevant. Whether this bonus also applies to the standard depot must be checked in the statute. An overview of the allowance and the bonus is in the article Altersvorsorgedepot lohnt sich? Ab welchem Einkommen sich das Depot rechnet (in German).
What role does availability from 2027 play?
The reform provides for the start on 1 January 2027. Until then the standard depot cannot be used, and providers must first make it available. Anyone who waits until then does not lose support that would be provided under the rules as they stand, provided the rules remain unchanged. A binding statement on availability comes from the provider or the responsible body.
How do you deal with the cost cap?
A cost cap is an upper limit and not a promise of the actual price. The provider states the concrete costs for your product, and you should compare this figure with other offers. A uniform calculation with the same assumptions for contribution, term and return helps, as described in the calculator article.
What does the standard depot mean for tax?
With the standard depot too, the question is whether the allowance or the special expense deduction is more favourable for you. The choice depends on your marginal tax rate and is independent of the product type you use. The tax article compares both routes with a worked example.
Which checks make a standard depot good?
A useful checklist has four points. The costs are stated clearly and in percent per year. The conditions on guarantees are described in writing. The payout is clearly regulated. The switch to another provider is described in the contract. If one of these points is missing, it is worth asking before you sign.
What remains open?
Some details of the standard depot are only set out in the statute and in the implementation by the providers. These include the exact cost cap, the form of the offers, and the processes for switching and payouts. For that reason we refer to the statutory text and to the information of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the standard depot already available?
The start is planned for 1 January 2027. Until then the product cannot be used. Whether and when providers offer it becomes clear at the start.
Does the standard depot have a guarantee?
That depends on the design of the specific product. Read the product information sheet. A guarantee shows in the explicit conditions of the contract, not in the name.
Is the standard depot the same as the depot for children?
No. The early start pension for children has its own rules. An overview is in the article Frühstart-Rente Standarddepot: Lohnt sich ein Depot für Kinder? (in German).
Can I compare the standard depot with an ETF savings plan?
Yes, a comparison is worthwhile if you calculate both routes with the same assumptions. The state support of the Altersvorsorgedepot falls away with an ETF savings plan. An introduction is in the article ETF-Sparplan im Studium: So funktioniert er Schritt für Schritt (in German).
Should I wait with my decision?
Whether signing up before the start makes sense depends on your situation. The trade-offs are described in the article Altersvorsorgedepot jetzt abschließen oder bis 2027 warten? (in German).
How to proceed now
- Decide whether a simple option or your own product choice suits you better.
- Read the cost figures and the guarantee rules in the product information sheet.
- Calculate the standard depot against an alternative with the same assumptions.
- Decide only once the rules for the year of signing are settled in the statutory text.
Related articles
- Altersvorsorge 2027: Der Überblick zu Depot, Frühstart-Rente und Riester (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot vergleichen: Worauf es bei Kosten ankommt (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot lohnt sich? Ab welchem Einkommen sich das Depot rechnet (in German)
- Frühstart-Rente Standarddepot: Lohnt sich ein Depot für Kinder? (in German)
- Altersvorsorgedepot jetzt abschließen oder bis 2027 warten? (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.
