Riester pension subsidy (Riester-Zulage)
State top-ups to a private retirement-savings contract — €175/year base, plus €300/year per child.
Verified as of 2026-06-13 · Official source
Typical value
€175/year base subsidy, plus €300/year for each child born from 2008.
Official calculatorAbout this benefit
A Riester contract is private retirement saving that the state subsidises with direct top-ups (Zulagen) and possible tax relief. If you pay into an eligible contract you receive a base subsidy of €175 per year, plus €300 per year for each child born in 2008 or later (€185 for older children). Mainly employees paying into the statutory pension are eligible. The product is under political review, so weigh it up carefully. This page explains the subsidy; it does not assess your individual case or give financial advice.
You may be eligible if
- You pay into the statutory pension insurance (most employees do).
- You hold or open an eligible Riester contract and pay the minimum contribution.
- You claim the annual Zulage; extra child top-ups apply per child.
Official sources
Change log
- 2026-06-12 — Initial publication.
- 2026-06-13 — Updated BMAS link after ministry restructure; re-verified.
Information, not legal or tax advice. Always check the official source for your case.