Pension: Rentenpunkte and three pillars

The German pension stands on three pillars: gesetzliche Rente (mandatory payroll contributions), company pension bAV (employer adds money — often free money, ask HR!) and private provision (ETF, Riester). One year at average salary = 1 Rentenpunkt. In 2025 one point is ≈ €39 of monthly pension — for life.

• ●Once a year the Renteninformation arrives — read it
• ●bAV: the employer must add at least 15%
• ●Pension entitlement starts after 5 years of contributions