German pension in December 2026: paid on New Year's Eve

Pick your pension start: the tool shows which pension arrives on 31 December, and the January and February 2027 dates.

Time left until pension December 2026, 31 December 2026

63days23hrs0min0sec

Pension start

Pension for December 2026

Thu 31 December

Paid in arrears: the money arrives on the last bank business day of the month (s. 118 SGB VI).

Last calendar dayThu 31 December
Weekend or holidayno weekend, no holiday
Where the date comes fromofficial list
How this is calculated
Pension 2026, started April 2004 or later (paid at month end)
Pension forIn your accountWeekdaySource
January30 January 2026Fridayofficial list
February27 February 2026Fridayofficial list
March31 March 2026Tuesdayofficial list
April30 April 2026Thursdayofficial list
May29 May 2026Fridayofficial list
June30 June 2026Tuesdayofficial list
July31 July 2026Fridayofficial list
August31 August 2026Mondayofficial list
September30 September 2026Wednesdayofficial list
October30 October 2026Fridayofficial list
November30 November 2026Mondayofficial list
December31 December 2026Thursdayofficial list

Prepared by Radif Partners · Method · dates and statutes checked on 28 October 2026

The German state pension for December 2026 is credited on 31 December 2026. Many expect it before Christmas, but the statutory payment day is the last bank business day of the month, and New Year's Eve is one: 31 December is not a public holiday, and the European TARGET payment system only closes on 25 and 26 December. The pension insurance has the date on its 2026 list accordingly. If your pension started before 1 April 2004, New Year's Eve already brings your January 2027 pension; your December pension came on 30 November 2026. After that, everyone continues with 29 January 2027, because 31 January 2027 is a Sunday, and 26 February 2027. That leaves 29 days between the December and January pensions. There is no Christmas payment with the statutory pension; more on the Christmas bonus pension page.

December 2026 to February 2027

Pension payments over the new year
Payment dayStarted 04/2004 or later: pension forStarted before 04/2004: pension for
Monday, 30 November 2026November 2026December 2026
Thursday, 31 December 2026December 2026January 2027
Friday, 29 January 2027January 2027February 2027
Friday, 26 February 2027February 2027March 2027

The 2026 date follows the pension insurance list; the 2027 dates are calculated under section 118 SGB VI and section 272a SGB VI.

Why not before Christmas

Unlike some employers, the pension insurance does not bring the payment day forward for the holidays. It pays on the last bank business day, and only a weekend or a nationwide holiday at the month end moves it. 25 and 26 December are TARGET closing days, but in 2026 four bank business days still follow, Monday to Thursday, up to and including New Year's Eve. If you are planning Christmas spending, count on the November pension. Why there is no Christmas bonus is explained on Christmas bonus and pension; every payment day of the month is on payment dates December 2026.

Pension January 2027

Pension for January 2027

Fri 29 January

Last calendar daySun 31 January
Weekend or holidaymoved: 30 Jan Saturday, 31 Jan Sunday
Where the date comes fromcalculated from the statutory rule
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Common questions

Is the German pension paid before Christmas in December 2026?

No. It arrives on 31 December 2026, the last bank business day of the month. Christmas Eve and the Christmas holidays change nothing, because the last day of the month is itself a bank business day. Only pensions that began before April 2004 effectively come "earlier": their December pension already arrived at the end of November.

When does the January 2027 pension arrive?

For pensions started in April 2004 or later, on 29 January 2027, because 31 January is a Sunday. For pensions started before April 2004 it already arrives on 31 December 2026, at the turn of the year. The tool shows a countdown to the next date.

Is New Year's Eve a bank business day in Germany?

Yes. 31 December is not a statutory holiday in Germany, and the central banks' TARGET payment system operates that day. Many branches close early, but transfers are posted. That is why the pension insurance pays on New Year's Eve when it falls on a weekday.

Keep going

Christmas bonus and pension

There is none, and when December pays

Pension November 2026

Monday 30 November

Pension dates 2027

Calculated under section 118 SGB VI

Dates December 2026

Christmas, New Year’s Eve, turn of the year

Official sources for this page

Prepared by

Publisher of an independent calendar of German benefit payment days: child benefit, pension, basic income support, unemployment benefit, parental allowance, housing benefit and BAföG

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As of 2026, dates and statutes checked on