Pension Adjustments and Health Insurance Contribution Increases in 2026
German pensioners will spot another pension increase in the summer of 2026. Yet, this positive news is tempered by increases in additional health insurance contributions, which will impact the net pension amount received in February and March. This article details the changes and who is affected.
Pension Deductions: Health and Nursing Care Insurance Contributions
Pensioners are subject to taxes on their pension income, as well as contributions to health and nursing care insurance. The standard contribution rate for health insurance is currently 14.6 percent of income for all insured individuals. In addition to this, health insurance companies levy an additional contribution, which can vary between providers. The German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) shares these contributions equally between the insured and the pension insurance fund.
Timing of Contribution Changes
Many health insurance companies increased their additional contributions on January 1, 2026. However, these changes are not immediately reflected in pension payments. According to Section 247 of the German Social Code (SGB V), changes only apply from the “second calendar month following the change.” pensioners will see the deduction reflected in their February or March pension payments, depending on their retirement date.
Pensioners who retired after April 1, 2004 receive their pension payments in arrears, meaning at the end of the month. For these individuals, the increased deduction will be noticeable in March. Those who retired on or before March 31, 2004 receive their pension in advance and will see the deduction in February.
Average Increase in Additional Contributions for 2026
According to Stiftung Warentest, the average additional contribution from statutory health insurance companies is set at 2.9 percent for 2026. Stiftung Warentest reports this is an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared to 2025.
Variable Increases Among Health Insurance Funds
The increase doesn’t affect all pensioners equally, as only approximately half of the health insurance companies have raised their additional contributions. An analysis by Stiftung Warentest revealed that 35 health insurance funds increased their contributions, while 36 maintained them at the same level and one even reduced its contribution.
Health Insurance Companies with Increased Contributions (2026)
Several health insurance companies have increased their additional contributions for 2026. Here’s a list of nationwide health insurance providers and their updated rates, as of January 2026:
| Health Insurance | Additional Contribution 2026 | Change from 2025 to 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| hkk | 2.59 percent | +0.4 percent |
| Audi BKK | 2.6 percent | +0.2 percent |
| Techniker Krankenkasse | 2.69 percent | +0.24 percent |
| WMF BKK | 2.85 percent | +0.4 percent |
| HEK | 2.89 percent | +0.39 percent |
| DAK health | 3.2 percent | +0.4 percent |
| Salus BKK | 3.29 percent | +0.3 percent |
| R+V BKK | 3.49 percent | +0.53 percent |
| News of BKK | 3.6 percent | +0.62 percent |
| Train BKK | 3.65 percent | +0.25 percent |
| Massive directly healthy | 3.69 percent | +0.3 percent |
| Pronova BKK | 3.7 percent | +0.5 percent |
| BKK ProVita | 3.79 percent | +0.9 percent |
| Home health insurance | 3.9 percent | +0.8 percent |
| energy BKK | 3.98 percent | +1.0 percent |
| VIACTIV health insurance | 4.19 percent | +0.92 percent |
BKK Firmus, considered the most affordable health insurance company, maintained its contribution rate unchanged. Knappschaft, the most expensive, reduced its contribution by a minimal 0.1 percent.
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