How much is a pension point worth? (Image: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels)
If you want to know how high the statutory pension is, then you cannot avoid a term: the pension point.
Or more precisely: the “pay point”. That is the currency of German pension insurance. And if you want to understand what he gets out of monthly in old age, you have to understand this point value – and how you can get it at all. A lot changes for 2025, and that’s exactly what we look at step by step.
One pension point stands for the fact that in a calendar year you earned as much as the average of all pension insured.
According to the calculation of the German pension insurance, this average is € 50,493 gross per year – around € 4,208 a month. If you earn this amount in one year, you will get exactly a pension point credited. If your income is below, you get a proportionally less.
If you earn more, you get more points – but only to the contribution ceiling, which is available for 2025 96,600 € lies.
That means: more than 1.91 pension points Nobody can collect a year, even with an annual salary of € 120,000 or more.
How much is a pension point in 2025 worth?
By June 30, 2025, the pension value is still included 39.32 € per point – and nationwide, i.e. the same value for East and West. From July 1, 2025, this value increases 40.79 €. This is a nominal increase of 3.74 % – And that is significantly higher than the current inflation rate of about 2.3 %. Means: Pensioners have more in their wallets. This increase concerns around 21 million People in Germany who are currently pensioning.
A simple arithmetic example makes it tangible: Who has over the years 45 pension points has collected – so practically 45 years worked to the average wage – that is currently getting:
45 × 39.32 € = € 1,769.40 gross per month
After the increase, it is:
45 × 40.79 € = € 1,835.55 gross per month
This is a monthly plus of 66.15 €. It doesn’t sound like a lot at first – but that is almost a year 800 € additionallywithout having to do anything for it. This shows: Pension adjustments work – especially if inflation remains low.
Table: How do pension points arise?
The pension point is directly linked to your gross annual income.
How many points you get in a year always depends on how your income is in relation to the average of all insured persons:
So if you earn permanently below average, collect fewer points.
Those who earn above average – for example as a specialist, engineer or with a lot of professional experience – get closer to the maximum score per year. And if you have a break in between (parental leave, illness, part -time etc.), you end up with fewer points – which of course also affects the later pension.
Development of pension points since 2019
What many do not even know: the pension values ​​have developed significantly in recent years – and more stable than you often hear in public debate. By 2023 there were two different values: one for West Germany, one for East Germany. History has been in history since 2023 – the pension value is uniform nationwide.
Here is an overview of the development:
The pension value has been around in the West since 2000 65 % increased – even in the east 90 %. Inflation was about in the same period 60 %. The bottom line is that the pension adjustments last with purchasing power in the long term – and even more in some years.
Buy pension points: is that worth it?
From the age of 50, you can voluntarily buy additional pension points. This is particularly worthwhile if you want to retire prematurely and compensate for discounts. Or if you just know that you have paid too little to get to an adequate pension.
2025 costs an additional point:
50,493 € × 18.6 % = € 9,391.70
From July you will receive an additional monthly gross dent of: 40.79 €
So calculated in the year € 489.48 – and with that the purchase pays for about 19.2 years. Sounds long – but is an interesting option for many who are planning early. Especially if you are still fit at 67 and live longer anyway.
Forecast: contribution rate, pension level and political perspective
In 2025 the contribution rate for pension insurance is stable 18.6 %.
But it is clear: the pension system is under pressure in the long term. By 2040 the contribution rate could 22.3 % Get – this is a burden for employees and employers alike. At the same time, the pension level that currently at 48 % lies on 45 % Or slip less – unless there are any further reforms.
The most important factor remains wage development: If wages continue to rise, pensions automatically increase. That is the logic of the vision system. But with stagnating economy or falling real wages, the pensions also come under pressure. Therefore, it is so crucial that politics not only looks at contributors, but also concerns structural reforms.
Conclusion: The statutory pension alone is not enough
With the new pension value of 40.79 € From July 2025, the pension point is more stable than its reputation.
For many people, this means more purchasing power – and for everyone who informs themselves in good time, also an opportunity for active planning.
But it is also clear that the statutory pension will only remain part of the retirement provision in the long run. Anyone who is wise also relies on private or operational provision – e.g. B. ETF savings plans, company pensions or real estate. Because if you rely on one mainstay, you have too little scope in old age.
The pension point is a solid basis – but it is not everything. Those who think in the long term ensure themselves.