Health Insurance & Active Pension 2026: What You Need to Know
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Rising supplementary contributions at health insurers, but relief for working retirees. The key social insurance news for 2026.
Health Insurance: Supplementary Contributions Rise Significantly
For many insured persons, 2026 will be noticeably more expensive: The average supplementary contribution in statutory health insurance (GKV) rises to a new record of 2.5%. Together with the general contribution rate of 14.6%, the total contribution is around 17.1%, shared equally between employer and employee. The differences between individual insurers are enormous - switching can pay off.
Supplementary Contributions 2026: Top 8 Health Insurers Compared
| Health Insurer | Supplementary Rate 2026 | Total Rate (Employee Share) |
|---|---|---|
| HKK | 1.28% | 7.94% |
| AOK Bayern | 1.78% | 8.19% |
| Barmer | 2.19% | 8.40% |
| Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) | 2.45% | 8.53% |
| DAK-Gesundheit | 2.60% | 8.60% |
At a gross income of 3,500 euros, the monthly difference between the cheapest (HKK: 1.28%) and most expensive insurer (DAK: 2.60%) is about 23 euros per month - that's over 276 euros per year you can save just by switching.
Switching Health Insurers: How It Works
- Special cancellation right: If your insurer raises the supplementary rate, you have a special cancellation right.
- Regular cancellation: Even without a rate increase, you can switch after 12 months. Notice period: 2 months to month-end.
- New employer: When changing jobs, you can switch insurers immediately.
New: Active Pension (Aktivrente) 2026
An important innovation for working retirees: The active pension takes effect in 2026, making continued work in retirement more attractive.
- Tax-advantaged additional income: Up to 2,000 euros monthly can be earned with tax benefits.
- Employer contributions: Instead of paying into unemployment insurance (from which retirees no longer benefit), employer contributions can be paid directly to the employee - a real net plus.
Sources: Federal Government - New Regulations 2026, GKV Federation, Health Insurance Contribution Rates 2026
Compare insurers: Save real money by switching. Our Health Insurance Comparison shows you the cheapest providers.
Sources & References (2026)
All calculations are based on the official legal provisions for 2026. Despite careful research, no guarantee is given for correctness. This calculator does not replace professional tax advice.