Pensions in Germany matter in 2027 mainly through state-supported private retirement saving. The new Altersvorsorgedepot (a government-supported retirement savings account) has been passed and is expected to start on 1 January 2027. Other plans, such as the early-start pension (Frühstart-Rente), have no binding status yet. This overview separates what is settled, what is still open and what you should know for your own planning.
Short answer: The Altersvorsorgedepot was passed by the Bundestag on 27 March 2026 and approved by the Bundesrat on 8 May 2026. The start is planned for 1 January 2027. The basic allowance (Grundzulage) is up to €540 a year if you pay in €1,800. The early-start pension has no binding status. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points
- The Altersvorsorgedepot has been passed and is expected to start on 1 January 2027.
- The basic allowance is 50 cent per euro on the first €360 of your own contribution, and 25 cent per euro on a further €1,440.
- A child allowance of up to €300 per child is planned.
- The early-start pension has neither a binding start date nor a reliable amount.
- The 2027 pension contribution rate is not stated here, while the rate for 2026 was 18.6 percent.
What is the Altersvorsorgedepot and when does it start?
The Altersvorsorgedepot is a state-supported form of private retirement provision. The Bundestag passed the reform on 27 March 2026, and the Bundesrat approved it on 8 May 2026. The planned start date is 1 January 2027, which is treated as expected until the start actually takes place. The reform is documented in the Bundesrat printed paper 206/26 (in German).
A closer look at contracts and how to choose one is in the article Altersvorsorgedepot 2027: Funding and Bonus for Young People (in German). This section covers the framework you should know for 2027.
How large is the state support?
The support consists of a basic allowance, a child allowance and a one-off bonus for young people starting their careers. The basic allowance depends on your own contribution and is staggered. The table lists the values as set out in the reform:
| Component | Rule | Maximum per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic allowance on the first €360 of own contribution | 50 cent per euro | €180 |
| Basic allowance on a further €1,440 of own contribution | 25 cent per euro | €360 |
| Basic allowance in total | at €1,800 own contribution | €540 |
| Child allowance | per child | up to €300 |
| Start bonus for young people | one-off, contract concluded before age 25 | €200 |
Assumption: in 2027 you pay in €150 every month, which means €1,800 a year. You then receive the full basic allowance of €540, and your own contribution stays at €1,800. Whether this pays off for you depends on income, term and provider costs. The allowance is therefore a calculation figure, not a return.
The support matters most for young people because it runs over many working years. It is also worth looking at the total costs of a contract, since entry fees and ongoing charges can reduce the allowance.
What about the early-start pension?
The early-start pension is discussed as a state contribution to children’s savings accounts. For the amount, the age group and the start date, however, there is no binding status yet. Reports about it should therefore be read with caution. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German statutory pension insurance) answers questions and has published a question-and-answer page (in German).
As long as no law with concrete figures exists, you should not include the early-start pension in your planning. The source for questions and answers is the Deutsche Rentenversicherung page on the early-start pension (in German).
What applies to the statutory pension in 2027?
The contribution rate for statutory pension insurance was 18.6 percent in 2026, as the contribution rate notice for 2026 (in German) shows. This overview does not state a rate for 2027, because it has not been set. The annual notice for the following year is decisive.
Working students pay half of this rate. Mathematically that is 9.3 percent, although the calculation depends on earnings in each case. A separate guide covers pension insurance obligations during studies and exemptions from them (in German).
Which plans are still open?
Besides the Altersvorsorgedepot and the early-start pension, further plans affect parents and older people. The mother’s pension III is covered in a separate article of this series (in German), where the current status is set out, so that promises are not confused with settled law.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Altersvorsorgedepot worth it for people starting their careers?
The support works over many years, so an early start is often sensible. Whether a contract fits depends on costs, investment type and term. Compare providers on total costs and not only on the allowance.
When do I receive the allowances?
Allowances are paid under the rules of the Altersvorsorgedepot once the contract runs and the conditions are met. The provider sets out the detailed application process. Before the start in 2027, there is no allowance on contributions.
Has the early-start pension already been decided?
No. There is no binding status yet. For reliable planning, rely on the information from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung and the Federal Government once a law with figures has been promulgated.
What is the pension contribution rate for 2027?
The rate for 2027 is not stated in this overview. You can find the current position in the annual contribution rate notice and from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. The rate for 2026 is 18.6 percent.
What to do now
- Check which providers offer an Altersvorsorgedepot and compare costs, term and investment type.
- Plan your own contribution so that you use the full support, which is €1,800 a year if this is affordable for you.
- Follow the legislative status before you include the early-start pension in your calculation.
- Ask for help with open questions on contracts and support, for example in a personal consultation.
A personal consultation can help clarify the process. How it works at Academycon is described on the page So arbeiten wir (in German).
Related articles
- What changes in 2027? The full overview of all key dates
- Altersvorsorgedepot 2027: Funding and Bonus for Young People
- Retirement saving while studying: starting with €25 a month
- Pension insurance during studies: obligation, exemption and pension points (in German)
- What is decided for 2027 and what is only planned? The status check (in German)
Sources: Bundesrat printed paper 206/26, retirement reform (last updated: November 2026) (in German); Contribution rate notice for pension insurance 2026 (last updated: November 2026) (in German); Deutsche Rentenversicherung, questions and answers on the early-start pension (last updated: November 2026) (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
