{"id":1779292564,"date":"2026-06-30T09:09:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T09:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/uncategorized-en-us\/contribution-guarantee-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-optional-instead-of-mandatory\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T10:54:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T10:54:01","slug":"contribution-guarantee-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-optional-instead-of-mandatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/contribution-guarantee-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-optional-instead-of-mandatory\/","title":{"rendered":"Contribution guarantee in the Altersvorsorgedepot: optional instead of mandatory"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"avd-lead\"> With the Altersvorsorgedepot the mandatory 100% contribution guarantee of the Riester pension disappears. Savers can choose: <strong>no guarantee, 80% or 100%<\/strong> of the contributions paid in. Less guarantee means more return potential, but also more risk. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"avd-callout tldr\">\n<p><strong>The key points at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>0%, 80% or 100% guarantee selectable<\/li>\n<li>A 100% guarantee is no longer mandatory from 2027<\/li>\n<li>A higher guarantee costs considerable return<\/li>\n<li>Usually counterproductive over terms of 20+ years<\/li>\n<li>The lifecycle model is the higher-return alternative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"avd-toc\">\n<p class=\"avd-toc__title\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"\/#was-ist\">What is the contribution guarantee?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#wie-funktioniert\">How does it work?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#kosten\">What does a guarantee cost?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#wann\">Which guarantee is worthwhile when?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#warum\">Why was the guarantee requirement abolished?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#faq\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"was-ist\">\n<h2>What is the contribution guarantee?<\/h2>\n<p> A contractual promise by the provider that <strong>a certain percentage of the contributions paid in<\/strong> will be available as a minimum at the start of retirement, even if the capital markets crash in the meantime. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"wie-funktioniert\">\n<h2>How does the contribution guarantee work?<\/h2>\n<p> Providers typically meet the guarantee through: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A higher share of safe investments<\/strong> (bonds, fixed-term deposits).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Value protection mechanisms<\/strong> (CPPI: Constant Proportion Portfolio Insurance).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unit-linked policies with the guarantee assets<\/strong> of the insurer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> The higher the guarantee, the higher the share of low-return investments and the smaller the equity allocation. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"avd-callout zwischenfazit\">\n<p><strong>Do I even need a contribution guarantee?<\/strong><br \/>The 100 percent guarantee is no longer mandatory. Anyone with 20+ years ahead of them should question it critically.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"kosten\">\n<h2>How much return does a guarantee cost?<\/h2>\n<table class=\"avd-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Guarantee<\/th>\n<th>typ. equity allocation<\/th>\n<th>expected gross return p.a.<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>0%<\/td>\n<td>80\u2013100%<\/td>\n<td>5.5\u20137.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>80%<\/td>\n<td>40\u201370%<\/td>\n<td>3.5\u20135.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>100%<\/td>\n<td>10\u201340%<\/td>\n<td>1.5\u20133.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"small muted\">Approximations, depending on the market. Higher guarantee = a more volatile risk\/return ratio.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"wann\">\n<h2>Which guarantee is worthwhile when?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Long term (&gt; 20 years):<\/strong> Tends toward 0% or 80%; market phases can be evened out.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Short term (&lt; 10 years):<\/strong> 80% or 100%, less time to make up losses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>High risk aversion:<\/strong> 100%, psychological security, but a low return.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"warum\">\n<h2>Why was the guarantee requirement abolished?<\/h2>\n<p> Because it was a main reason why the <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/riester-pension-vs-altersvorsorgedepot-germanys-state-subsidized-retirement-investment-account-switch-or-stay\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"13\">Riester pension<\/a> barely produced any return. In the low interest rate environment the 100% guarantee forced providers to put almost everything into low-yielding bonds. Now that the requirement has gone, savers can finally opt for <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/regular-savings-plan-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-save-into-etfs-automatically-every-month\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"15\">equity ETFs<\/a> and capture the significantly higher long-term equity return. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"personas\">\n<h2>Which guarantee suits whom?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"avd-persona\">\n<p><strong>Kim, 28, long investment horizon (39 years).<\/strong> Chooses a 0% guarantee and 100% equity ETF. Expected value at a 6.5% return: ~ \u20ac320,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"avd-persona\">\n<p><strong>Frank, 60, shortly before retirement (7 years).<\/strong> Chooses a 100% guarantee. Expected gross return only ~ 2.5%, but the capital is secured in nominal terms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"avd-faq\" id=\"faq\">\n<h2>Frequently asked questions about the contribution guarantee<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>Are allowances part of the guarantee?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, the <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/basic-allowance-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-up-to-e540-per-year-from-the-state\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"14\">Allowances<\/a> are included in the guaranteed sum.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Does the guarantee protect against inflation?<\/summary>\n<p>No. A 100% nominal contribution guarantee does not mean that purchasing power is preserved. Inflation has to be earned on top, which is hard with a high guarantee.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I change the guarantee later?<\/summary>\n<p>With many providers yes, but often only in one direction (e.g. lowering the guarantee). A <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/riester-switch\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"12\">switch<\/a> costs fees.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I increase the guarantee later on?<\/summary>\n<p>Not with most providers; the guarantee is set at the start of the contract.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Guarantee on allowances?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, they are included in the guaranteed sum.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What happens if the provider goes bust?<\/summary>\n<p>Securities are segregated fund assets and are protected. For insurers, Protektor (the guarantee fund) steps in.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"avd-callout zwischenfazit\">\n<p><strong>What is the alternative to a guarantee?<\/strong><br \/>A lifecycle model combines return potential with security at the end of the term, usually the better choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"small muted\">Last updated: June 2026.<\/p>\n<section class=\"avd-weiter\">\n<h2>Keep calculating and reading<\/h2>\n<p class=\"avd-weiter__rechner\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/altersvorsorgedepot-calculator-extended\/\">Altersvorsorgedepot calculator Plus<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 calculate the subsidy, tax advantage and final balance for your own situation.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"avd-weiter__links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/lifecycle-model-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-the-glidepath-explained-simply\/\">lifecycle model<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/returns-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-what-is-realistically-achievable\/\">return<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/inflation-and-purchasing-power-what-your-securities-account-will-really-be-worth-in-30-years\/\">Inflation and purchasing power<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"avd-weiter__lexikon\">All terms at a glance: <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/altersvorsorgedepot-glossary-all-terms-from-a-to-z\/\">Glossary from A to Z<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"avd-sources\">\n<h2>Official sources and further information<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bundesfinanzministerium.de\/Content\/DE\/FAQ\/reform-der-privaten-altersvorsorge.html\" rel=\"external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Federal Ministry of Finance, FAQ on the reform of private retirement provision<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bundesregierung.de\/breg-de\/aktuelles\/reform-private-altersvorsorge-2400072\" rel=\"external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">German federal government, private retirement provision reform<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bundestag.de\/dokumente\/textarchiv\/2026\/kw13-de-altersvorsorge-1156798\" rel=\"external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">German Bundestag, resolution on the Altersvorsorgedepot (calendar week 13\/2026)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dserver.bundestag.de\/btd\/21\/040\/2104088.pdf\" rel=\"external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Bundestag printed paper 21\/4088 (PDF)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de\/DRV\/DE\/Ueber-uns-und-Presse\/Presse\/Meldungen\/2026\/260508-bundesrat-reform-private-altersvorsorge.html\" rel=\"external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Deutsche Rentenversicherung, reform announcement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.test.de\/Altersvorsorgedepot-4910361-0\/\" rel=\"external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Stiftung Warentest, Altersvorsorgedepot<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verbraucherzentrale.de\/wissen\/geld-versicherungen\/altersvorsorge\/neues-altersvorsorgedepot-rentenchance-oder-teure-verkaufsfalle-118178\" rel=\"external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Verbraucherzentrale, the new Altersvorsorgedepot: opportunity or sales trap?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contribution guarantee in the Altersvorsorgedepot: optionally 80% or 100%. How does it work, how much return does it cost, when is it worthwhile?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_metasync_otto_title":"","_metasync_otto_description":"","_metasync_otto_keywords":"","_metasync_otto_og_title":"","_metasync_otto_og_description":"","_metasync_otto_twitter_title":"","_metasync_otto_twitter_description":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","_aioseo_title":"","_aioseo_description":"","_metasync_seo_title":"","_metasync_seo_desc":"","_metasync_breadcrumb_title":"","_metasync_primary_category":0,"_metasync_primary_product_cat":0,"_metasync_otto_disabled":"","_metasync_hreflang":"","_metasync_plugin_sync_ts":"","_metasync_robots_advanced":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[69,77,75,71],"class_list":["post-1779292564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-what-is","tag-altersvorsorgedepot","tag-default-standard-product","tag-etf","tag-reduction-in-yield"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1779292564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1779292564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1779292564\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1779292564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1779292564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1779292564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}