German 10-year average pension discount rate (HGB), 29 years
German 10-year average pension discount rate (HGB), 29 years stood at 2.2% in Sep 2026, according to Deutsche Bundesbank. It is one of the indicators in the Interest rates (monthly) table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 2015 to Sep 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Interest rates (monthly) table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-year average | |||||||||||
| Residual maturity of 29.0 year | 2.2 | 2.17 | 2.15 | 2.13 | 2.11 | 2.09 | 2.08 | 2.06 | 2.04 | 2.03 | |
| Residual maturity of 30.0 year | 2.19 | 2.16 | 2.14 | 2.12 | 2.1 | 2.08 | 2.07 | 2.05 | 2.03 | 2.02 |
Understanding german 10-year average pension discount rate (HGB), 29 years
Statutory accounting rules specify this distinct valuation benchmark for corporate retirement payouts scheduled to occur exactly 29 years past the reporting date. By applying a 10-year moving average to the underlying federal debt instruments, the indicator effectively sterilizes the present value of ultra-long obligations against day-to-day trading volatility. Sitting near the furthest end of the curve, this precise tenor captures obligations intended for distant future settlement, separating these particular capital requirements from those maturing in the near term or at the absolute maximum maturity limit.
Tracing the evolution of this month-end figure reveals the gradual digestion of past interest rate cycles rather than live market sentiment. Since each new monthly release merely replaces an older historical observation from the start of the averaging window with a recent observation, the overarching trajectory shifts glacially. Financial statement preparers therefore look at period-on-period differences to understand incremental adjustments to funding deficits, recognizing that rapid economic events will take considerable time to fully pass through the mathematical filter. When comparing this metric to international accounting standards, a significant discrepancy emerges because the latter typically relies on current high-quality corporate bond yields without the mandatory backward-looking average.
Frequently asked questions
- Can firms substitute corporate bond yields for this statutory measure when assessing these specific liabilities?
- Under the Commercial Code, companies are required to use this prescribed federal curve derivation for obligations matching the 29.0 year residual maturity profile.
- What causes the sluggish movement of this indicator during periods of rapid monetary policy shifts?
- The mandated 10-year smoothing mechanism inherently dampens volatility, meaning current interest rate hikes or cuts filter very slowly into the final published figure.
- Is it appropriate to use this exact rate for obligations maturing across different time horizons?
- The specified yield strictly applies to payouts aligned with the exact 29-year tenor, while other points on the published curve serve obligations with entirely different timelines.