Where can I find the provider, contract, and certification numbers?

The provider, i.e. the bank or insurance company with which you have a Riester contract, sends you an annual statement of your current "account balance", providing an overview of your accumulated Riester capital.

You will also receive the so-called provider certificate once a year. You receive one copy for your personal records, and a second copy of the provider certificate is marked "For submission to the tax office". You must enclose this certificate in its original form with your tax return.

Before doing so, you must enter the key details of your Riester contract in your tax return. You will find everything you need on the certificate from your bank or insurance company, such as the contract reference numbers like the provider number, the certification number, and the contract number.

You must also state your contributions, including the bonuses. If you have a Riester contract to receive a pension later, such as an investment fund savings plan or a traditional pension insurance, please enter your contributions including the government bonuses.

If you are using the new so-called Wohn-Riester to save for your retirement, please enter the repayment contributions, also including the bonuses, with which you are paying off a mortgage or saving into a building society contract. You will also find these figures on your provider certificate.