Overview
- Germany’s pension authority says January and February pension contributions were calculated at old rates, so higher health-insurance deductions take effect with the March payment.
- Payment timing depends on when retirement began: those paid in advance (first pension before April 2004) see the lower amount at the end of February, while those paid in arrears see it at the end of March.
- Dozens of statutory insurers raised their additional contribution for 2026, including 35 of 72 generally open funds, with the largest single increase of 1.1 percentage points at BKK exklusiv.
- The contribution assessment ceiling rose from €66,150 to €69,750, which especially lifts costs for higher-income retirees; Verivox estimates up to €121 more per year for a standard pension and up to €1,379 for higher earners.
- Pensioners can limit the hit by switching to a cheaper fund using their special cancellation right after hikes, with Verivox estimating savings of about €243 per year for a standard pension and up to €771 for higher incomes, and the DRV typically flags the change only via bank statements.