Two ways to earn extra in retirement
Anyone who wants to work in retirement faces a new choice in 2026: the classic mini-job or regular employment with the Active Pension. Both models have their place, but they work completely differently. Which is more worthwhile depends above all on how much you want to earn.
The quickest way to find out is to enter your desired figures into the <a href="/en/active-pension-calculator">Active Pension Calculator</a> and compare the result with a mini-job.
The mini-job: simple and tax-free
A mini-job is possible up to the marginal earnings threshold, currently 603 euros per month. The earnings are taxed at a flat rate or tax-free for the employee, and there are no significant deductions. For a few hours per week this is straightforward and well established. The drawback: at 603 euros it ends – anyone who earns more leaves the mini-job range.
The Active Pension: more room upwards
The Active Pension picks up exactly where the mini-job ends. Instead of 603 euros, the tax-free limit is 2,000 euros of wage per month. This opens up considerably more earning opportunities without income tax being due on the wage. The prerequisite, however, is regular employment and reaching the statutory retirement age.
Unlike the mini-job, the Active Pension involves contributions to health and long-term care insurance. In return, pension and unemployment contributions no longer apply after the statutory retirement age. The bottom line is that significantly more of the higher wage remains than a mini-job could ever allow.
From when is the Active Pension worthwhile?
As a rule of thumb: anyone who only wants to earn a few hundred euros a month is often simplest off with the mini-job. Anyone aiming for 800 euros or more usually benefits more from the Active Pension, because the entire wage up to 2,000 euros stays tax-free and the earnings limit is much higher.
An example: at a wage of 1,500 euros a mini-job is not possible at all – here the Active Pension plays to its full strength, because the entire amount stays income-tax-free. At 500 euros, on the other hand, the classic mini-job is usually the leaner solution.
Keeping the combination in mind
In principle, a mini-job can also be carried out alongside other income. However, anyone who wants to use the full tax-free range of the Active Pension should choose regular employment. For most people it is an either-or decision that depends on the level of the desired extra income.
Conclusion
The mini-job remains the simple solution for small extra earnings, while the Active Pension is the clear winner for higher wages. Run both variants with your figures – the <a href="/en/active-pension-calculator">Active Pension Calculator</a> instantly shows you where your net benefit is greatest.