German pension points (Rentenpunkte), 2026
How much pension your years of work in Germany buy, in today’s money.
What the years unlock
drag along the scaleCalculation
€1,000 of gross a year ≈ €0.82 a month of pension| Step | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross counted (up to the cap) | €50,000 |
| ÷ average wage 2026 (Durchschnittsentgelt) | €51,944 |
| = points per year | 0.96 |
| × 10 years | 9.63 |
| × point value (Rentenwert) since 1 July 2026 | €42.52 |
| Pension a month, gross | €409 |
| after health and care insurance | €355–359 |
Figures as of 24 September 2026. An educational estimate, not financial, tax or legal advice. A year of work at €50,000 gross earns 0.96 pension points, which is €41 a month of pension for life, in today’s money (Rentenwert €42.52 since 1 July 2026). Every €1,000 of annual gross adds about €0.82 a month per year worked. A pension claim starts after 5 years of contributions. This is not legal or financial advice. €42.52 of monthly pension since 1 July 2026 (€40.79 before, up 4.24%). The Rentenwert is adjusted every July in line with wages. Annual gross ÷ €51,944 (the provisional 2026 Durchschnittsentgelt). €50,000 earns 0.96 points; an average salary exactly 1 point. Above €101,400 contributions and points stop growing: at most 1.95 points a year. Usually not. Germany has no social security agreement with Russia, Belarus or Kazakhstan, and the 2018 agreement with Ukraine is not in force, so these years count neither towards the 5-year Wartezeit nor for points. The exception is recognised Spätaussiedler: the Fremdrentengesetz credits their origin-country years, reduced and capped. Years in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, the UK and agreement countries count towards the Wartezeit, but that country pays the pension for them. The points stay on your account, but without 5 years there is no pension. Non-EU citizens who cannot pay in voluntarily after leaving can get their own half of the contributions back 24 months after the last one (Beitragserstattung). The employer half is not refunded, and the account is closed. Gross. Pensioners pay 7.3% plus half the Zusatzbeitrag to their health insurer (KVdR) and the full long-term care contribution, 3.6% or 4.2% without children. 84% of a pension starting in 2026 is taxable; the share rises by 0.5 points a year to 100% in 2058. Tax is due if total income exceeds the Grundfreibetrag. Points are your pay relative to the national average, and the Rentenwert follows wages. If your pay grows like the average, your points per year stay the same, and the pension in today’s money stays comparable. The 48% level is guaranteed until 2031; after that it is open.In short, and how it is calculated
Reference values 2026
Gross per year 5 years 10 years 20 years 35 years 45 years €30,000 €123 €246 €491 €860 €1,105 €40,000 €164 €327 €655 €1,146 €1,473 €50,000 €205 €409 €819 €1,433 €1,842 €60,000 €246 €491 €982 €1,719 €2,210 €80,000 €327 €655 €1,310 €2,292 €2,947 €101,400 €415 €830 €1,660 €2,905 €3,735 Questions and answers
How much is one German pension point worth in 2026?
How many pension points does my salary earn?
Do work years in Russia, Ukraine or Kazakhstan count?
What happens to my contributions if I leave before 5 years?
Is the pension shown gross or net?
Why is everything in today’s money?
Sources