{"id":1779292573,"date":"2026-06-30T09:09:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T09:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/uncategorized-en-us\/riester-pension-vs-altersvorsorgedepot-germanys-state-subsidized-retirement-investment-account-switch-or-stay\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T10:54:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T10:54:04","slug":"riester-pension-vs-altersvorsorgedepot-germanys-state-subsidized-retirement-investment-account-switch-or-stay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/riester-pension-vs-altersvorsorgedepot-germanys-state-subsidized-retirement-investment-account-switch-or-stay\/","title":{"rendered":"Riester pension vs. Altersvorsorgedepot (Germany&#8217;s state-subsidized retirement investment account): switch or stay?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"avd-lead\"> From 1 January 2027 the Riester pension will be replaced by the <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/altersvorsorgedepot\/\">Altersvorsorgedepot<\/a> as the new subsidized retirement product. <strong>New contracts<\/strong> will then no longer be possible, <strong>existing contracts<\/strong> but continue under grandfathering. We compare the most important differences and tell you when switching makes sense. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"avd-callout tldr\">\n<p><strong>The key points at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No new contracts from 1 January 2027<\/li>\n<li>Existing contracts continue unchanged<\/li>\n<li>Switching to an Altersvorsorgedepot is possible<\/li>\n<li>AVD offers a higher subsidy, lower costs, more return<\/li>\n<li>Switching fee of at most \u20ac150 in the first 5 years<\/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 Riester pension?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#vergleich\">Riester vs. Altersvorsorgedepot compared<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#bestandsschutz\">Grandfathering: what happens to old contracts?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#wechsel\">When is switching worth it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/#wie-wechseln\">How switching works<\/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 Riester pension?<\/h2>\n<p> The Riester pension is a private retirement provision in Germany that has been state-subsidized since 2002. It combined an <strong>annual basic allowance of \u20ac175<\/strong>, child allowances, a special expenses deduction and, as the problematic element, a mandatory 100% contribution guarantee. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"vergleich\">\n<h2>Riester pension vs. Altersvorsorgedepot compared<\/h2>\n<table class=\"avd-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Feature<\/th>\n<th>Riester pension<\/th>\n<th>Altersvorsorgedepot<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>basic allowance<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac175 (fixed)<\/td>\n<td>up to \u20ac540 (proportional)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>child allowance<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac185 (born before 2008) \/ \u20ac300<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac300 \/ child<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>contribution guarantee<\/td>\n<td>100% mandatory<\/td>\n<td>0, 80 or 100%, voluntary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Investing<\/td>\n<td>often insurance \/ guarantee pot<\/td>\n<td>ETFs, funds, bonds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Reduction in yield<\/td>\n<td>typically 1.5\u20132.5%<\/td>\n<td>max. 1% (default standard product)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>payout<\/td>\n<td>life annuity mandatory<\/td>\n<td>choice: life annuity or drawdown plan up to 85<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/the-self-employed-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-fully-eligible-for-the-subsidy-for-the-first-time\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"19\">Self-employed<\/a><\/td>\n<td>not directly eligible for the subsidy<\/td>\n<td>eligible for the subsidy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>career starter bonus<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac200 (one-off)<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac200 (one-off, similar)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"avd-callout zwischenfazit\">\n<p><strong>What happens to my Riester contract from 2027?<\/strong><br \/>Existing contracts continue unchanged; new contracts will no longer be available from 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"avd-figure\">\n<p class=\"avd-figure__title\">Final balance after 30 years: Riester vs. Altersvorsorgedepot<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Endkapital nach 30 Jahren: Riester vs. Altersvorsorgedepot\" src=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/riester-rente-01.png\"\/><figcaption>Lower costs plus a higher equity allocation can produce around \u20ac50,000 more capital over 30 years than a typical Riester contract (see the model calculation below).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section id=\"bestandsschutz\">\n<h2>Grandfathering: what happens to old contracts?<\/h2>\n<p> Riester contracts concluded before 1 January 2027 may continue to be funded, including all subsidies received so far. You can also: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>stop contributions<\/strong> (no payments in, no allowances),<\/li>\n<li><strong>terminate the contract<\/strong> (non-qualifying, all allowances and tax advantages have to be repaid),<\/li>\n<li><strong>transfer it to an Altersvorsorgedepot<\/strong> (the subsidized capital is retained).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"wechsel\">\n<h2>When is switching worth it?<\/h2>\n<p>Switching is particularly worthwhile if your Riester contract has one or more of these features:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High reduction in yield (RIY) (&gt; 1.5%).<\/li>\n<li>Low return so far or a negative real return.<\/li>\n<li>Inflexible payout rules.<\/li>\n<li>Long remaining term (&gt; 15 years), in which case the switch will definitely pay for itself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Better <em>not<\/em> to switch if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You are very close to the start of your pension.<\/li>\n<li>You have a particularly favorable old commitment (a high guaranteed interest rate).<\/li>\n<li>Wohn-Riester was used for a property.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"wie-wechseln\">\n<h2>How switching works<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Choose a new Altersvorsorgedepot provider.<\/li>\n<li>Submit the transfer request there; the new provider takes care of the rest.<\/li>\n<li>The old provider transfers the balance plus allowances (max. \u20ac150 fee in the first 5 years).<\/li>\n<li>The new subsidy terms apply from the start of the contract with the new provider.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"avd-callout avd-callout--warn\">\n<strong>Important:<\/strong> Simply cancelling the Riester contract without a transfer is <em>a non-qualifying withdrawal<\/em>which means all allowances and tax advantages then have to be repaid. <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"personas\">\n<h2>Switch or stay? Three practical examples<\/h2>\n<div class=\"avd-persona\">\n<p><strong>Sabine, 35, Riester fund savings plan since 2008.<\/strong> Reduction in yield (RIY) of 1.9%, remaining term ~30 years. Switching to an ETF Altersvorsorgedepot with a reduction in yield of 0.5%: with the same contribution and a 6% gross return she gains, over 30 years, around <strong>\u20ac40,000 in additional capital<\/strong>. Switching is clearly worth it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"avd-persona\">\n<p><strong>Hans, 58, classic Riester insurance since 2002.<\/strong> High guaranteed interest rate (2.75%), profit participation already built in, remaining term 9 years. Switching would mean high surrender costs and market risk in the final phase. Recommendation: let the contract run.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"avd-persona\">\n<p><strong>The Krause family, Wohn-Riester for their own home.<\/strong> A residential subsidy account cannot be transferred into an Altersvorsorgedepot. Recommendation: continue Wohn-Riester unchanged and open an additional new Altersvorsorgedepot alongside it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"rechenbeispiel\">\n<h2>Additional return from switching, model calculation<\/h2>\n<table class=\"avd-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Scenario<\/th>\n<th>Reduction in yield<\/th>\n<th>Gross return<\/th>\n<th>Final balance after 30 years<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Old Riester<\/td>\n<td>1.8%<\/td>\n<td>5.5%<\/td>\n<td>~\u20ac135,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Altersvorsorgedepot<\/td>\n<td>0.5%<\/td>\n<td>6.5%<\/td>\n<td>~\u20ac185,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Difference<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><strong>+\u20ac50,000<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"small muted\">Model calculation with a \u20ac150\/month contribution. Excluding switching fees and taxes.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"checkliste\">\n<h2>Switching checklist<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/the-10-most-common-mistakes-with-the-altersvorsorgedepot\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"20\">Check the reduction in yield (RIY) of your old contract<\/a> in the product information sheet.<\/li>\n<li>Check the guaranteed interest rate (old contracts from before 2012 often &gt; 2%).<\/li>\n<li>Read off the capital accumulated so far plus the allowances received from your last allowance notice.<\/li>\n<li>Determine the remaining term until the start of your pension.<\/li>\n<li>Choose a new provider (bank, neobroker, insurer) and submit a transfer request.<\/li>\n<li>The transfer takes 8\u201312 weeks; the old provider may charge no more than \u20ac150.<\/li>\n<li>With the new provider, set up an <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/annex-av-pension-section-of-the-german-tax-return-entering-the-altersvorsorgedepot-in-your-tax-return\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"22\">ETF savings plan<\/a> and issue the permanent allowance application.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"avd-faq\" id=\"faq\">\n<h2>Frequently asked questions: Riester vs. Altersvorsorgedepot<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I transfer Wohn-Riester into an Altersvorsorgedepot?<\/summary>\n<p>No. The specifics of Wohn-Riester (the residential subsidy account) cannot be carried over into the new model. The existing Wohn-Riester continues under grandfathering.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What does &#8220;non-qualifying termination&#8221; mean?<\/summary>\n<p>A termination in which the state subsidy is lost. All allowances and tax advantages received have to go back to the tax office.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Is switching worth it for older savers shortly before retirement too?<\/summary>\n<p>Rarely; the short remaining term cannot make up for the effort of switching and possibly higher volatility.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How long does a switch take?<\/summary>\n<p>Typically 8\u201312 weeks. The new provider handles most of it; you do not need the old provider&#8217;s consent.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Is the old subsidy retained?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes. All allowances and tax advantages received so far are transferred along with the balance.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What if the old provider digs in its heels?<\/summary>\n<p>By law it may not block the switch. If there are problems, BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) is the complaints body.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I let Riester continue and open an Altersvorsorgedepot alongside it?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes. Both contracts are possible side by side. However, the allowances can only be claimed once per person.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What happens with Wohn-Riester if there is a remaining loan?<\/summary>\n<p>Wohn-Riester continues until the decumulation phase. The <a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/deferred-taxation-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"21\">deferred taxation<\/a> of the residential subsidy account remains in place.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Do existing Riester contracts continue to earn interest?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, at the guaranteed interest rate agreed in the contract plus any profit participation.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"avd-callout zwischenfazit\">\n<p><strong>Is switching to the AVD worth it?<\/strong><br \/>Switching to the AVD is voluntary, costs at most \u20ac150 and can be worthwhile with modern contracts.<\/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\/switching-from-riester-to-the-altersvorsorgedepot-how-it-works\/\">Switching from Riester<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/altersvorsorgedepot\/\">Altersvorsorgedepot<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/what-is\/basic-allowance-in-the-altersvorsorgedepot-up-to-e540-per-year-from-the-state\/\">basic allowance<\/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>Riester pension vs. Altersvorsorgedepot: grandfathering, switching rules, comparison of the subsidy. When is switching worth it? Including a checklist.<\/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":[69,73,70,82,80],"class_list":["post-1779292573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-what-is","tag-altersvorsorgedepot","tag-basic-allowance","tag-contribution-guarantee","tag-life-annuity","tag-retirement-provision-reform-act"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1779292573","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=1779292573"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1779292573\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1779292573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1779292573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altersvorsorgedepot-anbieter-vergleich.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1779292573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}