Pension and job – that’s possible. According to new regulations, the full pension will be paid out even if you work part-time. But where can such jobs be found?
Bremen – The retirement age is rising through the back door. More and more older people are working beyond retirement age: the proportion of employed people aged 65 to 69 has increased from eleven percent in 2012 to 19 percent in 2022, according to the Federal Statistical Office. For around 40 percent of those in employment aged 65 and over, the activity carried out was the main source of livelihood - but for the majority, this income was additional income in addition to their pension, often in highly qualified mini-jobs.
New freedom for pensioners: Abolition of the additional income limit enables highly qualified mini-jobs
In October 2022, the federal government presented a comprehensive strategy for securing skilled workers, which also includes changes for pensioners - including the abolition of the additional earnings limit for pensioners. This measure aims to make better use of the professional experience of older people and to reward them appropriately. Since January 1, 2023, pensioners will receive the full pension, even if they also have a paid job. Ideal conditions for working in old age - because there are numerous highly qualified mini-jobs for pensioners.
For people of retirement age who would like to remain active beyond retirement age, numerous online portals offer a variety of suitable job offers. From established job portals to specialized platforms aimed specifically at (pre-)retired professionals, there are many options for looking for jobs.
Highly qualified jobs for retirees: A selection of useful online portals
maeusefueraeltere.de
seniorenportal.de
jobs-rentner.de as well
all regular job portals such as Stepstone, Linkedin, Stellenanzeigen.de, Jobware, Indeed, Stellenonline, Kimeta
Working as a pensioner: What is allowed and how much can you earn extra?
Regardless of any pension reductions, pensioners can earn as much as they want. This limit was originally introduced in 2020 when workers were urgently needed due to the corona pandemic. At that time, the maximum additional income for pensioners was increased to 44,090 euros per year. Previously, only 6,300 euros per year, which corresponds to around 535 euros per month, were allowed.
Flexi pension – work plus pension: additional earnings limits have been raised
The Flexi pension enables a flexible transition from working life to retirement; the additional earnings limit for early retirement pensions set out in the Flexi Pension Act
was repealed. This means that early retirees can earn as much extra as they want with a part-time job without their pension being reduced.
The additional earnings limits for pensions due to partial or full disability have been raised. The recipients can now earn around 35,650 euros or 17,820 euros.
Taxes on pensions and earnings from mini-jobs: This is how much pensioners have to pay
Pensioners have to pay tax on both their pension and their additional income. However, the pension is not necessarily subject to full taxation. For example, people who retired in 2015 must pay tax on 70 percent of their statutory pension. From 2040 this should be increased to 100 percent. This is because people who plan for retirement while working receive tax relief and therefore have to pay taxes on their pension later.
In addition, pensioners also have to pay tax on their other income, such as private pensions, pension benefits or rental income. The basic allowance, which pensioners are also entitled to, is 10,908 euros for single people for the 2023 tax year.
With a mini-job, employees – regardless of whether they are pensioners or not – can earn 538 euros per month. In 2023 the upper limit was still 520 euros; However, it was increased on January 1, 2024