Basisrente
made easy.
Use tax relief to build
lasting retirement income.
Basisrente and Rürup-Rente are two names for the same pension. It can be particularly attractive to self-employed people and higher earners: qualifying contributions reduce taxable income today, while the policy builds a lifelong pension for later. The tax benefit is valuable—but the money is committed to retirement.
THE 2026 TAX RULES
A generous limit—with important conditions
€30,826
for one person
In 2026, qualifying basic pension contributions are 100% deductible within a €30,826 annual ceiling, or €61,652 for jointly assessed spouses. This is a combined limit, not a separate allowance for every policy.
Check your
remaining allowance
Statutory pension and professional pension-scheme contributions use the same ceiling; relevant employer contributions also count. Your available Basisrente deduction depends on what has already been used. Tax relief depends on taxable income.
2026 limits: Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
MAKE THE TAX SAVING WORK
€1,000 invested can cost you €580
Assume a €12,000 annual contribution is fully deductible and receives 42% income-tax relief. That means €5,040 less tax and an effective annual cost of €6,960—equivalent to €580 a month for €1,000 a month invested.
Reinvest the original €5,040 tax saving and you add another €420 a month on average: €1,420 goes towards retirement instead of €1,000. Your refund arrives later, so contributions must be affordable in the meantime. This comparison does not include additional tax relief on those extra contributions.
€1,000 a month
for 20 years
Illustration—not a guaranteed return.
About €405,800 accumulated.
Total contributions: €240,000.
Illustration assumes 5% annual growth after charges, before payout tax.
€1,420 a month
for 20 years
Illustration—not a guaranteed return.
About €576,200 accumulated.
Total contributions: €340,800.
The same growth assumption shows about €170,400 more accumulated.
Illustration: 240 month-end payments, an effective annual return of 5%, rounded values. It includes extra contributions and their growth, not a return created by tax relief alone. It assumes the original relief continues; real relief, charges and returns vary. No allowance for inflation. Investment losses are possible. This is pension value, not cash you can withdraw.
KNOW THE COMMITMENT
Tax relief now. Pension income later.
How the
pension works
Modern contracts pay a monthly lifelong pension from no earlier than age 62. There is no lump-sum option or ordinary cash surrender. You may be able to reduce or stop contributions, but the existing value stays committed to retirement.
A fund-based tariff can offer investment choice; guarantees and costs vary. Compare the guaranteed pension factor, total charges and contribution flexibility before signing.
What happens
at retirement?
Nachgelagerte Besteuerung means tax relief during saving and taxation when the pension is paid. The taxable share depends on the start year: 84% for pensions starting in 2026, rising by 0.5 percentage point for each new cohort to 100% in 2058. This is the taxable share, not the tax rate.
The pension is not freely inheritable. Permitted survivor cover for a spouse or eligible children must be arranged in the contract. If you may leave Germany, check overseas payments and future tax treatment before choosing.
Rules and restrictions: BMF pension overview and §22 EStG.
A NETWORK THAT GIVES BACK
Up to €500 towards your visa costs
A qualifying private pension or Basisrente arranged through our network can bring up to €500 per eligible person towards eligible visa services. We pay a participating partner directly. Use eligible invoices within 12 months of the policy’s start date; unused amounts are not paid in cash.
Support can start by agreement. The contribution remains provisional until the first premium is paid and Unconfuse receives its referral fee. If you cancel before both conditions are met, the partner will invoice you for services already provided that would otherwise have been covered.
KEEP LEARNING
Retirement planning articles
Save more. Give it time to grow.
Keep your options open.
Discover how Basisrente and a flexible private pension can work together. Reinvesting tax relief can fund additional retirement saving, while combining the two can balance lifelong income with greater choice.
At Unconfuse, we believe the product should fit the person. We listen first, then connect you with a specialist who can explain how tax relief, retirement income and flexibility could work together for you.
FIND YOUR NEXT STEP
Let’s make your
retirement budget work harder.
We listen first, then connect you with a specialist who can compare the options around your circumstances. The product should fit you.
General information, checked 3 October 2026. Individual tax treatment and contract terms matter. Compare the tax advantage with costs, your need for access to money and the eventual pension.