Altersvorsorgedepot for higher earners

If you earn well, you can set more aside and make the most of the tax advantages. The Altersvorsorgedepot (Germany’s state-subsidized retirement investment account) adds a subsidized, capital-market-based pillar to occupational pensions and your own securities account.

Using the tax rules cleverly

Why the account pays off even on a high income

On high incomes, the state pension replaces only a small part of your accustomed standard of living.
The Altersvorsorgedepot closes part of that gap: tax-advantaged growth, free choice of ETFs and the option to keep paying in beyond the subsidized contributions. In this group it is usually a supplement to an occupational pension or to your own securities account, rarely the only retirement provision.
  • deferred taxation
  • up to €540 basic allowance
  • can be funded beyond the subsidy limit
join the waiting list
Why it is worth it

Benefits of the Altersvorsorgedepot for higher earners

Tax-advantaged growth.

Gains are taxed only when they are paid out (deferred taxation). Until then, the capital keeps growing undiminished.

Can be funded beyond the subsidy.

Contributions above the maximum subsidized limit also stay in the account and grow with the market return.

Free choice of investments, and inheritable.

3. A wide ETF selection, a partial lump-sum withdrawal at the start of retirement and inheritable capital.
Head to head

Altersvorsorgedepot or Rürup: what pays off on a high income?

Both have their strengths. A combination often makes sense.

 

Altersvorsorgedepot

Rürup pension (Basisrente)

Subsidy

allowances plus deferred taxation

high special expenses deduction

Strong for

flexibility, medium to high incomes

very high marginal tax rates

Flexibility

contributions adjustable, partial lump-sum withdrawal possible

rigid, lifelong pension only

Can be inherited

capital can be inherited

only to a limited extent

Investing

free choice of ETFs and funds

usually an insurance or fund wrapper

With a very high, stable marginal tax rate, the special expenses deduction of the Rürup pension carries a lot of weight. If you want flexibility, free choice of investments and inheritable capital, the Altersvorsorgedepot serves you better. All the differences in detail: Altersvorsorgedepot vs. Rürup.

Note: independent information and context, not individual investment, tax or legal advice.

Planning it in cleverly

How high earners build the account into their plans

On a high income, the Altersvorsorgedepot is rarely the only retirement provision. It works best as a subsidized supplement: first use up the allowances and the maximum subsidized contribution, then pay in beyond that if you want to. Anything above the maximum subsidized limit keeps growing with the market return and still stays inside the tax-advantaged wrapper. That way you combine the subsidy with the flexibility to put more aside when a good year allows it.

Run the tax numbers

How much you can get out of the account

On a high income, tax often decides more than the return does.
Do the math.
Enter your income and tax rate and you will see how much the postponed, deferred taxation is worth to you over the years compared with an ordinary securities account. That surprises many high earners. In under a minute you will know whether the subsidized option is worth it for you.
join the waiting list

Ihre Steuerersparnis

Monatlicher Eigenbeitrag iIhr eigener Beitrag pro Monat. Bis 150 €/Mo bekommen Sie zusätzlich die volle Grundzulage von 540 €/Jahr direkt ins AVD-Depot. Höhere Beträge bringen keine zusätzliche Zulage mehr. 150 €
25 €150 €
Brutto-Jahreseinkommen iBestimmt den Grenzsteuersatz und damit die Höhe der nachgelagerten Besteuerung im Rentenalter. 45.000 €
20.000 €60.000 €
Laufzeit iÜber wie viele Jahre Sie sparen. Üblich ist die Zeit bis zum Rentenbeginn mit 67. 30 Jahre
1 Jahr49 Jahre
AVD-Vorteil über 30 Jahre
–
Modellrechnung: 7 % p.a. Rendite, Single ohne Kinder.
Erweiterte Berechnung Mit Einkommen, Rendite, Kosten, Inflation, Riester-Übertrag, ETF-Vergleich Start: Januar 2027 Auf die Warteliste Erfahren Sie als Erste:r, welche Anbieter starten

Unverbindliche Modellrechnung, keine Anlageberatung, keine Garantie künftiger Wertentwicklung. Vergangene Wertentwicklungen sind kein verlässlicher Indikator für künftige Wertentwicklungen.

Requirements

Are you eligible for the subsidy?

These points should apply to you:

  • You meet the subsidy requirements and file a tax return
  • You pay in at least €120 per year, or €1,800 for the full basic allowance
  • You are resident in Germany
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

 Yes, usually as a supplement. The allowances count for proportionally less, but tax-advantaged growth, free choice of investments and inheritability count for all the more.

 That depends on your marginal tax rate. With a very high, stable income, the special expenses deduction of the Rürup pension is particularly powerful, while the Altersvorsorgedepot scores on flexibility and free choice of investments. A combination often makes sense.

Yes. Contributions above the maximum subsidized limit of €1,800 bring no additional allowance, but they keep growing with the market return in the account.

 Deferred, so only in retirement. The tax rate is often lower then than during your working life

Yes. Both can be used in parallel and complement each other well for many higher earners.