ETFs and funds can be subject to high fluctuations in value. The invested amounts are not guaranteed, and a total loss of your investment is possible at any time. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Ensure you have sufficient knowledge before making any transactions.
Take control of your future
Complement your pension with ETFs that target higher growth.
Get state support along the way
Receive up to €540 per year, plus extra bonuses for young starters and parents.
Save on capital gains tax
Grow your investments tax-free until retirement, when you will likely pay a lower tax rate.Shape your own pension
The new pension plan (Altersvorsorgedepot) expands your choices — letting you create a mix of eligible ETFs and funds to fit your unique strategy. Choosing an option without a capital guarantee gives you the chance to unlock potential for higher returns.
Fully automated investing
The Standarddepot is the hands-off option with a designated portfolio. Depending on your age, you can select higher-risk ETFs to start, then automatically transition toward lower-risk assets as you approach retirement.
Understand the risks
While the new plans offer more flexibility, choosing the path with no payout guarantee means your investments follow market ups and downs. Your money stays restricted until retirement, and moving outside the EU could mean returning state bonuses.
Strengthen your retirement with state support
Invest at least €120 per year to unlock these grants.
Basic grant (Grundzulage)
The state will match 50% of your first €360, after that they’ll match 25% until €1,800 — giving you a basic grant of up to €540 per year.
Child grant (Kinderzulage)
The state matches up to €300 per year for each child eligible for child benefit (Kindergeld).
Starter grant (Berufseinsteiger-Bonus)
Open one of the private pension plan options before your 25th birthday and the state will give you a €200 welcome bonus.
Basic grant (Grundzulage)
The state will match 50% of your first €360, after that they’ll match 25% until €1,800 — giving you a basic grant of up to €540 per year.
Child grant (Kinderzulage)
The state matches up to €300 per year for each child eligible for child benefit (Kindergeld).
Starter grant (Berufseinsteiger-Bonus)
Open one of the private pension plan options before your 25th birthday and the state will give you a €200 welcome bonus.
Tax advantages
No capital gains tax while you invest — your returns stay untouched until retirement. Plus, deduct up to €1,800 a year with automatic checks by the tax office to ensure you always get the higher benefit — deduction or grants.
Your pension, coming to the N26 app
Discover the modern way to retire. Manage your pension alongside your everyday banking — all from the N26 app. Track investments without complex paperwork or confusing terminology.
Coming to N26 in January 2027, subject to regulatory certification.
Coming to N26 in January 2027, subject to regulatory certification.
Compare retirement plans
State allowance
€175 per year or more
--
Up to €540 per year
Up to €540 per year
State allowance
€175 per year or more
Up to €540 per year
Payout as monthly pension after retirement start
Lifelong payments
Lifelong payments
Payout plan or lifelong payments
Payout plan or lifelong payments
Payout as monthly pension after retirement start
Lifelong payments
Payout plan or lifelong payments
Option of one-time payout with retirement start
Up to 30% without losing state allowances or tax incentives
--
Up to 30% without losing state allowances or tax incentives
Up to 30% without losing state allowances or tax incentives
Option of one-time payout with retirement start
Up to 30% without losing state allowances or tax incentives
Up to 30% without losing state allowances or tax incentives
Autonomous securities investments
--
--
Select ETFs yourself or have them selected on your behalf
--
Autonomous securities investments
--
--
Guaranteed capital
100%
--
--
80% to 100%
Guaranteed capital
100%
80% to 100%
Potential yields
Potential yields
Tax incentives
Tax incentives
Subsequent taxation on withdrawals
Subsequent taxation on withdrawals
Tax deductible contribution
Up to €2,100 per year
Up to €27,566 per year
Up to €1,800 per year
Up to €1,800 per year
Tax deductible contribution
Up to €2,100 per year
Up to €1,800 per year
This chart is a high-level comparison only, and does not claim to be complete or exhaustive.
FAQ
- Unlike the old Riester system, eligibility isn't limited to traditional employees and civil servants. Self-employed workers, freelancers, and members of professional pension schemes now qualify, even if they don't pay into the public pension system.
- From January 2027, you can open a retirement portfolio directly in the N26 app or on our website. You'll need to submit a one-time subsidy application — N26 handles the paperwork and sends it to the government on your behalf.
- The new pension plan is broader and simpler. Unlike the old Riester plan, it's open to almost everyone with a German tax liability — not just those paying into the statutory pension. The new private pension plans (Altersvorsorgedepots) are investment-based, meaning your money has the potential to grow more over time rather than sitting in a low-yield contract.
- Up to €540 per year. You receive 50% on your first €360 of contributions (= €180 €) and 25% on the next €1,440 (= €360). Contribute at least €1,800 per year to claim the full amount.
- Yes — you can transfer an existing Altersvorsorgedepot to another provider, as long as the transfer happens directly between the two certified contracts. The state benefits stay intact.
- Contributions up to €1,800 per year are tax-deductible. In retirement, only a portion of your withdrawals are taxed — significantly less than your working-life income tax rate for most people.
- Yes. You can contribute up to €6,840 per year, however, both the government bonus and the tax deduction cap out at €1,800 per year.
- You can start taking monthly payouts as early as the year you turn 65, with the option to withdraw up to 30% of your total balance as a lump sum. Taking money out outside these standard retirement rules is considered early cashing out (förderschädliche Verwendung), meaning you’ll have to pay capital gains tax and repay any state bonuses and tax savings you received.
- Your portfolio remains open and your investments always have potential for growth. You won't lose bonuses you've already received. You can resume contributions at any point. If you stop permanently, you can still leave the funds invested until retirement.
- This is an evolving topic and will become clearer in 2028. For the latest policy updates and tax administration guidance, you can refer to the Bundesfinanzministerium website: https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Web/DE/Home/home.html
- In principle, all your contributions remain and become part of your estate, and that money is passed on to your beneficiaries. The state bonuses and tax savings are government funds given specifically toward your retirement. If you pass away before retirement, the government reclaims them. However, state bonuses and tax savings do not have to be repaid if your surviving spouse transfers your pension assets to their own pension contract.