The German Federation of Consumer Organisations (vzbv) is checking whether there are grounds for class actions against individual Sparkassen over costs charged when paying out Riester bank savings plans (Riester-Banksparpläne). According to the organisation, the fees in question may exceed €1,000. vzbv is collecting information from customers whose payouts have already begun. People whose payouts are due soon may also take part if they have already received information about the payout and its related costs.
- The review concerns Riester bank savings plans held with a Sparkasse and costs charged when payments begin.
- According to vzbv, the fees may exceed €1,000.
- The organisation is still assessing possible class actions; no lawsuit has been filed and no refund is guaranteed in the publication.
Which costs vzbv is examining
The review focuses on contract, intermediary and administration fees that Sparkassen may have charged when Riester bank savings plans moved into the payout phase. vzbv says these costs may reduce the accumulated savings and the payments received; the organisation does not provide amounts for each individual contract.
The organisation is asking people whose Riester payouts from a Sparkasse have already begun to come forward. People whose payouts are due soon may also contact vzbv if they have already received information about the payout arrangements and related costs. According to vzbv, the information will help establish which Sparkassen charged such fees and whether there may be grounds to seek a refund.
A review does not mean a class action has been filed
vzbv says it is assessing responses and documents to determine against which Sparkassen a class action might be possible. The publication does not announce a decision to file a lawsuit. It also says the number of people affected and the Sparkassen that charged the fees are not yet known.
Taking part in the organisation’s survey does not confirm that an individual customer has a claim for repayment. The publication describes information gathering and an assessment of possible next steps, not an established refund.
Information sources
- vzbv: Review of possible class actions over Riester costs at Sparkassen Source publication date: 22 October 2026.