Germany's Riester pension scheme ends this year as broader savings model takes over

The new Altersvorsorgedepot opens to self-employed and civil servants in 2027, expanding the pool of eligible savers beyond traditional employees.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-17 07:46 UTC · 1 min read Last updated: 2026-07-17 08:07 UTC

Germany is finalizing the transition from its long-standing Riester pension scheme to a new, more inclusive retirement savings vehicle.

The Riester program, which has been a cornerstone of private pension provision for decades, will officially cease operations at the end of this year.

Starting in January 2027, the Altersvorsorgedepot will take its place, marking a significant structural shift in the country's approach to state-subsidized retirement planning.

The new model is designed to broaden access to tax-advantaged savings.

Unlike the Riester scheme, which was primarily targeted at employees, the Altersvorsorgedepot will extend eligibility to self-employed individuals and civil servants.

This expansion aims to capture a larger segment of the workforce in the private pension market, potentially increasing overall savings rates and reducing future reliance on public pension systems.