rückwirkend
retroactive
Valid or effective for a period of time that has already passed.
EXAMPLE
Die Gehaltserhöhung wird rückwirkend zum ersten Januar gezahlt.
The salary increase will be paid retroactively from the first of January.
rückwirkend
retroactive
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'rück' (from zurück, back) and 'wirkend' (participle of wirken, to have an effect). So it literally means 'working backward' or 'having an effect on the past.'
EXAMPLE
Das neue Gesetz gilt rückwirkend ab dem 1. Juli.
The new law applies retroactively from July 1.
Sentence structure
'Rückwirkend' (retroactively) is usually used as an adverb and often appears with a time expression introduced by 'zum' or 'ab'. It can stand at the beginning of a sentence or within the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Rückwirkend zum Jahresbeginn werden die Beiträge erhöht.
Retroactively from the beginning of the year, the contributions will be increased.
Typical combinations
This word is often used in connection with laws, contracts, and finances. Typical verbs are 'gelten' (to apply/be valid), 'in Kraft treten' (to come into effect), or 'gezahlt werden' (to be paid).
EXAMPLE
Der Bonus wird allen Mitarbeitern rückwirkend ausgezahlt.
The bonus will be paid retroactively to all employees.
Register
'Rückwirkend' (retroactive/retroactively) belongs to formal language and is used especially in official, legal, and administrative language.
EXAMPLE
Die Steuererleichterung wurde rückwirkend beschlossen.
The tax relief was approved retroactively.
Compare with
rückwirkend vs nachträglich
belated / subsequent
Both words can describe a change decided on later. „Nachträglich“ means that something is added or changed only later. „Rückwirkend“ additionally means that this change applies to a period in the past.
rückwirkend
Die neue Vergütung gilt rückwirkend ab dem Beginn des Vertrags.
The new remuneration applies retroactively from the beginning of the contract.
nachträglich
Die Parteien haben die neue Vergütung nachträglich in den Vertrag aufgenommen.
The parties subsequently added the new remuneration to the contract.
In real life
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