nounnoun

der Rentner, –

pensioner · retiree

Eine Person, die nicht mehr arbeitet, weil sie das Rentenalter erreicht hat und regelmäßig Geld vom Staat bekommt.

Definition & meaning

Rentner means a retired man or, more generally, a pensioner—a person who receives a regular pension, usually after reaching retirement age.

In everyday German, it often refers to someone who no longer works because of age and lives on a state or occupational pension. The feminine form is die Rentnerin .

Depending on context, Rentner can also refer to someone who receives a pension because of reduced ability to work, although this meaning is often specified more precisely.

Grammar & word origin

Gender: masculine
Singular: der Rentner
Plural: die Rentner
Feminine: die Rentnerin
Part of speech: noun

The word is derived from die Rente , meaning “pension” or “annuity,” with the suffix -ner, which indicates a person connected with or receiving something. Literally, a Rentner is someone who receives a Rente.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

der Pensionär — “pensioner” or “retired person.” It is often used for retired civil servants who receive a Pension , whereas Rentner more commonly refers to someone receiving a statutory retirement pension.
der Ruheständler — literally “person in retirement.” This is a somewhat more formal or respectful term for a retired person.
der Pensionist — used especially in Austria and Switzerland for a pensioner; it is less common in standard German in Germany.

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. Depending on the intended contrast, possible opposites include:

der Berufstätige — an employed or working person
der Erwerbstätige — a person engaged in paid work
der Arbeitnehmer — an employee, specifically someone working for an employer

These words describe people who are still working, while a Rentner is generally no longer employed.