T-Zug A, T-Zug B and T-Zug T simply explained

The Tarifliches Zusatzgeld (T-Zug) is an annual special payment in the ERA agreement. It comes in three forms with different bases and payout rules.

T-Zug A – convertible into free days

T-Zug A equals 27.5% of the monthly base salary including the Leistungszulage and overtime pay. Employees with children, relatives in need of care, or on shift work can convert T-Zug A into 8 free days instead of taking the cash. You make that choice in the salary calculator with a single click.

T-Zug B – a percentage of the Eckentgelt

T-Zug B does not depend on your individual salary but on the Eckentgelt of your region – calculated without the Leistungszulage and overtime pay. Its percentage has grown considerably over the years:

T-Zug B 2018

12.3 %

of the Eckentgelt

T-Zug B 2026

26.5 %

14.2 % pts since 2018

T-Zug B as a percentage of the Eckentgelt per tariff year.
Tariff yearT-Zug B
2018 12.3 %
2023 18.5 %
2024 18.5 %
2025 18.5 %
2026 26.5 %

The employer may defer the T-Zug B payout by up to two months in agreement with the works council.

T-Zug T – the transformation payment

The Transformationsgeld (T-Zug T) equals 18.4% of the monthly base salary including the Leistungszulage and overtime pay. It was introduced amid the structural transformation of the industry.

All special payments at a glance

The table below summarises the currently valid special payments with their amount, payment month and calculation basis:

Collectively agreed special payments in the "ab 01.04.2026" agreement.
Component Amount Month Basis
T-Zug B 26.5 % February Eckentgelt
Urlaubsgeld 69 % June Monthly salary incl. Leistungszulage
T-Zug A 27.5 % July Monthly salary incl. Leistungszulage
T-Zug T 18.4 % July Monthly salary incl. Leistungszulage
Weihnachtsgeld 55 % November Monthly salary incl. Leistungszulage

How all these extras affect your personal annual salary is shown directly in the salary calculator. The values per year come from the pay scales and the bargaining rounds.

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