Pension points (Entgeltpunkte)
Entgeltpunkte (pension points) measure pension-insured gross earnings relative to the average insured earnings for a calendar year. Gross employment income subject to statutory pension insurance equal to the 2026 provisional average of €51,944 produces about one point; half the average produces about 0.5. Total points later enter the pension formula rather than becoming withdrawable cash [1].
How points are earned
The simplified earnings formula is:
pension-insured annual gross earnings ÷ average insured annual earnings = Entgeltpunkte
Earnings count only within statutory rules and up to the contribution ceiling. Credited periods, including qualifying child-raising periods, can also produce points without ordinary salary contributions.
Worked examples for 2026
Using the provisional 2026 average earnings of €51,944:
| Pension-insured gross earnings | Calculation | Approximate points |
|---|---|---|
| €25,972 | €25,972 ÷ €51,944 | 0.5 |
| €51,944 | €51,944 ÷ €51,944 | 1.0 |
| €77,916 | €77,916 ÷ €51,944 | 1.5 |
The 2026 contribution ceiling is €101,400 per year. Earnings above it do not produce additional points. At the ceiling, the simplified maximum is about 1.9521 points for 2026 [1][2].
From 1 July 2026, one point multiplied by a standard access factor and pension-type factor corresponds to €42.52 gross monthly pension. Thus 20 points at those factors produce 20 × €42.52 = €850.40 gross per month using that pension value [1].
What a point is not
A point is not €42.52 stored in an account. The aktueller Rentenwert (current pension value) is set under law and changes over time. Claiming-age adjustments and pension type also change the final payment.
For cross-border careers, foreign earnings do not become German points. Coordination may help satisfy qualifying periods and, under EU rules, may enter a theoretical and pro-rata comparison calculation. Each country still calculates and pays its own benefit [3].
Check yourself
Using 2026 average insured earnings of €51,944, approximately how many points do €25,972 of pension-insured gross earnings produce?
At €42.52 per point, what gross monthly pension do 20 points produce at factors of 1.0?
What happens to pension points when earnings exceed the contribution ceiling?
What is an Entgeltpunkt?
Sources
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung — How the pension is calculated, 2026 values, https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/DE/Rente/Allgemeine-Informationen/Wie-wird-meine-Rente-berechnet/wie-wird-meine-rente-berechnet_node.html (2026)
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung — Rente: So wird sie berechnet, 2026 tables, https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/national/rente_so_wird_sie_berechnet.pdf (2026)
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung — International pension claims and cross-border calculation FAQ, https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/DE/Rente/Allgemeine-Informationen/Wissenswertes-zur-Rente/FAQs/International/Rentenanspruch.html (accessed 2026)