What is the pension surcharge in 2025? (Image: Age Cymru, unsplash)
As of July 1, 2025, pension recipients in Germany will again experience an increase in their monthly payments.
The statutory pension increases by 3.74 percent. This continues the trend of the past few years, in which pensioners regularly receive a contract to compensate for the increased cost of living. The basis for this adaptation is the pension value determination regulation 2025.
The pension adjustment concerns both pensioners in the old and in the new federal states. Since July 2024 there have been uniform pension values ​​for Eastern and West Germany for the first time. The focus is on the so -called current Pension valuewhich increases from 40.79 euros to 42.30 euros in July 2025.
That sounds like a small change, but has a noticeable impact on all legal pensions.
How is the pension surcharge calculated in 2025?
The pension adjustment results from a defined formula that is based on the average wage development in Germany.
The basis for the calculation is the nominal wage growth of the previous year. This is 6.4 percent for 2025. At the same time, the contribution rate for pension insurance and a sustainability factor also flow into the formula in order to keep the system stable in the long term.
Important key data for 2025:
- Nominal wage increase: +6.4 %
- Pension level: secured at least 48 %
- Contribution rate pension insurance: unchanged
This is the basis of a pension adjustment of exactly 3.74 percent. This percentage applies uniformly to all statutory pension claims, regardless of the place of residence.
Pension surcharge in 2025: table with new pension amounts
The following table shows how the Pension increase by 3.74 percent effect on different monthly pension heights.
The information refers to gross values ​​before deducting health and long-term care insurance:
| Pension so far (2024) | Pension surcharge (3.74 %) | New pension from July 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 700 € | 26.18 € | 726.18 € |
| 800 € | € 29.92 | € 829.92 |
| 900 € | 33.66 € | € 933.66 |
| 1,000 € | 37.40 € | € 1,037.40 |
| 1,200 € | € 44.88 | € 1,244.88 |
| 1,500 € | 56.10 € | € 1,556.10 |
| 2,000 € | 74.80 € | € 2,074.80 |
| € 2,500 | € 93.50 | € 2,593.50 |
| 3,000 € | 112.20 € | € 3,112.20 |
The figures clearly show that the higher the original pension, the greater the absolute amount of the increase. As a percentage, it remains 3.74 percent for everyone.
An example: If you have received 1,500 euros gross pension so far, you will receive exactly 1,556.10 euros from July 2025. The monthly surcharge is therefore 56.10 euros.
Pension surcharge in 2025: What remains after deduction?
Even if the gross dent increases, many pensioners are less left than expected. The reason for this is the compulsory contributions to health and long-term care insurance.
These are automatically deducted from the gross torment.
The current contribution rates:
- Statutory health insurance: 9.8 % (including average additional contribution)
- Nursing insurance:
- 3.6 % for pensioners with children
- 4.2 % for childless pensioners
The following table shows the average net payment for pensioners with children after deducting the compulsory contributions:
| Gross tores in 2025 | health insurance | Long -term care insurance | Net duck 2025 |
| 1,000 € | -98.00 € | -36.00 € | € 866.00 |
| 1,500 € | -147.00 € | -54.00 € | € 1,299.00 |
| 2,000 € | -196.00 € | -72.00 € | € 1,732.00 |
| 3,000 € | -294.00 € | -108.00 € | € 2,598.00 |
Pensioners without children usually have to pay around 0.6 percent more long -term care insurance contribution, which has a corresponding effect on the net amounts.
Payment dates: When does the surcharge arrive in the account?
The payment dates for the adapted pensions depend on when the start of the pension was.
Anyone who retired before 2005 will continue to receive their payment for the following month at the end of the month. All pensions that start from 2005 will be paid for them – i.e. until 15th of the following month.
Examples of July and December 2025:
| Month | Progress (before 2005) | Severe (from 2005) |
| July | 30.06.2025 | 07/15/2025 |
| December | 30.11.2025 | 15.12.2025 |
So pensioners do not have to actively take care of the changeover. The German pension insurance automatically takes care of the adjustment and provides information about the new amounts with a letter.
Development of pension surcharges: Where are we today?
The 2025 pension adjustment is part of a series of increases in recent years. Since 2023, the legal pensions in Germany have increased by a total of 12.7 percent.
The development at an overview:
| Year | Pension increase (%) | Pension value in euros |
| 2023 | 4.39 % | € 37.60 → € 39.32 |
| 2024 | 4.57 % | € 39.32 → € 40.79 |
| 2025 | 3.74 % | € 40.79 → € 42.30 |
The increases are based on average wage development in Germany. The aim is to maintain the purchasing power of the pensioners despite inflation. With a pension level of at least 48 percent, Germany is in the European midfield.
Early start pension: CDU wants to close pension gap in the long term
In parallel to the 2025 pension increase, the future of old -age provision is also being politically screwed. The focus is currently currently on the CDU’s proposal to the so -called Early start pension. The goal: start with small amounts early to avoid large pension gaps later.
What is behind the pension model?
From the age of 6, children should automatically receive 10 euros from the state to an ETF depot every month. This funding runs until the 18th birthday – the bottom line is 1,440 euros start -up capital. The money remains bound until retirement and – depending on the development of capital market – can become a solid component of old -age provision.
Important: Parents can contradict (“opt-out”) if they do not want the funding. Otherwise the money is automatically invested.
The state promises: The depot is from state access and protected from creditors – a plus for security.
In the case of additional voluntary savings – for example 100 euros per month from the age of 18 – end amounts of 200,000 euros and more are possible until retirement (with 67). The early start pension shows impressively: In the end, if you start early.
Weaknesses and open questions about the early start pension
The basic idea is strong. But: In practice, families with little income could fall by the wayside.
According to studies, many households with less than 2,000 euros of monthly income can hardly manage it in addition to saving – even if they are funded by the state.
Emergency withdrawals, such as illness or educational purposes, have not yet been provided. That makes the model less flexible. Nevertheless, the direction is correct – especially if the long -term families also take less families with them.
What does that mean for today’s pensioners? Nothing at short notice. But in the long term, the early start pension could be a component that contributes to this, to stabilize the pension system – and to make future generations more independent of the pure levy procedure.
Conclusion: The pension surcharge in 2025 brings noticeable improvement
The pension increase on July 1, 2025 means a plus in the wallet for millions.
If you are currently receiving 1,500 euros gross pension, you will receive around 56 euros more from July – and can therefore collect at least part of the increasing living costs.
Despite the contribution deductions, the bottom line is that most pensioners have a clear plus. It is particularly gratifying that pension adjustment between East and West has been completed since 2024 and the same conditions are now valid nationwide.
It is important: the pension increase takes place automatically. You don’t have to apply. The German pension insurance will inform you in good time about your new pension.
Our tip: If you want to know how high your personal pension will be in the future, you can use the free pension estimator of the German Pension Insurance. A look at the annual pension information is also worthwhile to keep an overview of your own care.