What actually applies to mini-jobs in pension insurance? Many mini-jobbers might be asking themselves that. Is it worth it to earn a little extra money to supplement your pension in retirement?
Munich – Many people work as mini-jobbers in this country. According to a current survey by the Federal Employment Agency, a total of 7.5 million marginally paid employees were registered in January this year. Around 4.1 million of them only worked a mini-job. At that time, the mini-job was a part-time job for 3.3 million people. Since the beginning of 2024, there have been some innovations for mini-jobbers.
Even though the money is certainly a good option for many people in this country to earn some extra money for living expenses and rent, when it comes to their pension they have to ask themselves: Can I put my feet up in retirement? A mini-job is often not enough to avoid ending up in poverty in old age.
What does the mini-job do for your pension? Monthly pension increases by five euros
In order to receive a pension entitlement from a previous mini-job, pension insurance contributions (DRV) would have to be paid. Many students who now have lucrative mini-jobs as tutors, waiters or temporary sales assistants certainly don't think about this. Because mini-jobbers can generally be exempted from pension insurance through the DRV. However, you will then not acquire any pension rights.
But might it be worth paying a small contribution into your pension fund? According to the German Pension Insurance, if you earn 538 euros a month, your monthly pension currently increases by five euros after a year in a mini-job. That doesn't sound like a lot of money. Nevertheless, according to the mini-job headquarters, there are clear advantages to registering your mini-job.
Advantages of paying into pension insurance:
Collect waiting months
: Mini-jobbers collect a waiting month for each month of employment. Anyone who has accumulated 60 months (around five years) is entitled to a pension.
Entitlement to
a disability pension
: Employees are entitled to a disability pension for the first time after reaching the minimum number of waiting months.
Entitlement to
state funding
: Mini-jobbers are entitled to private pension provision with state allowances, such as the Riester pension. If necessary, even for the spouse of the mini-jobber.
Entitlement to
rehabilitation
: The pension insurance pays a transitional allowance for rehabilitation measures. To do this, compulsory contributions must have been paid into the pension fund for at least six months in the past two years.
In addition, mini-jobbers are entitled to paid
Vacation. According to the Federal Holiday Act, you as an employee are entitled to at least four weeks or 24 working days
of holiday
per year. The decisive factor for your vacation entitlement is the number of regular weekly working days.
Source: Minijob-Zentrale.de
There are five euros for a year of mini-job: the mini-jobber pays this himself
According to the mini-job headquarters, the contribution rate is currently 18.6 percent - but at least 32.55 euros. The costs are shared by employers and mini-jobbers. You can quickly calculate how high your own pension insurance contribution would ultimately be using the mini-job calculator.
Ultimately, every mini-jobber has to decide for himself whether he or she wants to be exempt from paying pension insurance contributions. Many seniors now also work in mini-jobs to supplement their limited pensions. There are a few things to consider. Common reasons for low pensions are poor employment histories, low pay despite lifelong employment and, for women, separation from partners.
(sthe)