# Arbeitslosengeld Rechner 2026 Update - Next Steps & Testing Guide

**Last Updated:** 2026-01-21  
**Status:** Code Updates Complete ✅ | Testing Required ⚠️

## Overview

This document provides comprehensive testing instructions and verification steps for the Arbeitslosengeld Rechner 2026 update, focusing on verified constants, updated Minijob references, and calculation accuracy.

## Pre-Testing Verification

### Code Verification Commands

Run these commands to verify all updates are in place:

```bash
# Verify constants file updated
grep "2026\|verified" v2/js/arbeitslosengeld/constants.js

# Verify calculator comment updated
grep "2026" v2/js/arbeitslosengeld/calculator.js | head -1

# Verify schema date updated
grep "datePublished" v2/pages/tools_arbeitslosengeld_rechner.php | grep "2026"

# Verify Minijob references updated
grep -c "603" v2/pages/tools_arbeitslosengeld_rechner.php
grep -c "520" v2/pages/tools_arbeitslosengeld_rechner.php  # Should be 0 or minimal

# Verify no 2025 references remain
grep "2025" v2/js/arbeitslosengeld/*.js v2/pages/tools_arbeitslosengeld_rechner.php
```

**Expected Results:**
- Constants file shows "2026" and "verified January 2026"
- Calculator.js comment shows "2026"
- Schema datePublished shows "2026-01-01"
- Multiple "603" references found (Minijob updates)
- No "2025" references found (except in historical context if needed)

## Manual Testing Checklist

### 1. Basic ALG Calculation Testing

#### Test Case 1.1: Standard Calculation (No Children)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Netto income: 2,000 €
- ALG percentage: 60% (no children)
- Base ALG: 2,000 × 0.60 = **1,200 €**
- Max ALG (West): 2,390 € (not reached)
- Final ALG: **1,200 €**
- Duration: 12 months (24 months employment ÷ 2)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Navigate to `/tools/arbeitslosengeld-rechner`
2. Select "Netto" income type
3. Enter 2,000 €
4. Set age: 35
5. Ensure "Keine Kinder" selected
6. Set employment months: 24
7. Leave side income empty
8. Select "Westdeutschland"
9. Click "Berechnen"
10. Verify ALG amount shows 1,200 €
11. Verify duration shows 12 months
12. Verify breakdown shows 60% rate

#### Test Case 1.2: Standard Calculation (With Children)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: Yes
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Netto income: 2,000 €
- ALG percentage: 67% (with children)
- Base ALG: 2,000 × 0.67 = **1,340 €**
- Max ALG (West): 2,390 € (not reached)
- Final ALG: **1,340 €**
- Duration: 12 months (unchanged - children don't affect duration)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Use same inputs as Test Case 1.1
2. Select "Mit Kindern"
3. Verify ALG amount shows 1,340 € (140 € more than without children)
4. Verify duration still shows 12 months (children don't affect duration)

#### Test Case 1.3: Maximum Cap Test (West)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 5,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Netto income: 5,000 €
- Base ALG: 5,000 × 0.60 = 3,000 €
- Max ALG (West): 2,390 €
- Final ALG: **2,390 €** (capped)
- Duration: 12 months

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter 5,000 € netto income
2. Verify ALG amount shows 2,390 € (capped)
3. Verify breakdown shows "Höchstbetrag erreicht: Ja"

#### Test Case 1.4: Maximum Cap Test (East)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 5,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: East

**Expected Results:**
- Netto income: 5,000 €
- Base ALG: 5,000 × 0.60 = 3,000 €
- Max ALG (East): 2,320 €
- Final ALG: **2,320 €** (capped)
- Duration: 12 months

**Verification Steps:**
1. Use same inputs as Test Case 1.3
2. Select "Ostdeutschland"
3. Verify ALG amount shows 2,320 € (lower cap for East)
4. Verify breakdown shows correct region

### 2. Brutto-to-Netto Conversion Testing

#### Test Case 2.1: Brutto Input
**Input:**
- Income type: Brutto
- Income amount: 2,500 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Brutto income: 2,500 €
- Netto income: 2,500 × 0.80 = **2,000 €** (simplified conversion)
- Base ALG: 2,000 × 0.60 = **1,200 €**
- Final ALG: **1,200 €**

**Verification Steps:**
1. Select "Brutto" income type
2. Enter 2,500 €
3. Verify breakdown shows netto income: 2,000 €
4. Verify ALG calculation uses netto income

### 3. Duration Calculation Testing

#### Test Case 3.1: Minimum Employment (12 months)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 12
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base duration: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 months
- Age increase: 0 (age < 50)
- Final duration: **6 months**

**Verification Steps:**
1. Set employment months: 12
2. Verify duration shows 6 months
3. Verify breakdown shows correct calculation

#### Test Case 3.2: Age-Based Increase (50+)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 55
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base duration: 24 ÷ 2 = 12 months (capped at 12 for age < 50)
- Age increase: (55 - 50) × 2 = 10 months
- Final duration: min(12 + 10, 24) = **22 months**

**Verification Steps:**
1. Set age: 55
2. Set employment months: 24
3. Verify duration shows 22 months
4. Verify breakdown shows age increase calculation

#### Test Case 3.3: Maximum Duration (58+)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 58
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base duration: 12 months
- Age increase: min((58 - 50) × 2, 12) = 12 months
- Final duration: min(12 + 12, 24) = **24 months** (maximum)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Set age: 58
2. Set employment months: 24
3. Verify duration shows 24 months (maximum)
4. Verify breakdown shows capped at maximum

#### Test Case 3.4: Insufficient Employment (<12 months)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 6
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Error message: "Du musst mindestens 12 Monate in den letzten 2 Jahren versicherungspflichtig beschäftigt gewesen sein, um Anspruch auf ALG 1 zu haben."
- Duration: 0 months
- ALG amount: 0 €

**Verification Steps:**
1. Set employment months: 6
2. Verify error message appears
3. Verify no ALG amount calculated
4. Verify duration shows 0

### 4. Side Income Impact Testing

#### Test Case 4.1: Side Income Below Freibetrag
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 100 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 1,200 €
- Freibetrag: 165 €
- Side income: 100 € (< Freibetrag)
- Reduction: 0 €
- Final ALG: **1,200 €** (unchanged)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter side income: 100 €
2. Verify ALG amount unchanged: 1,200 €
3. Verify side income impact shows no reduction
4. Verify breakdown shows Freibetrag not exceeded

#### Test Case 4.2: Side Income Above Freibetrag (One Step)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 265 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 1,200 €
- Freibetrag: 165 €
- Excess: 265 - 165 = 100 €
- Reduction steps: floor(100 / 100) = 1 step
- Reduction percentage: 1 × 20% = 20%
- Reduction amount: 1,200 × 0.20 = **240 €**
- Final ALG: 1,200 - 240 = **960 €**

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter side income: 265 €
2. Verify ALG amount reduced to 960 €
3. Verify side income impact shows 240 € reduction
4. Verify breakdown shows 1 reduction step (20%)

#### Test Case 4.3: Side Income - Multiple Steps
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 465 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 1,200 €
- Excess: 465 - 165 = 300 €
- Reduction steps: floor(300 / 100) = 3 steps
- Reduction percentage: 3 × 20% = 60%
- Reduction amount: 1,200 × 0.60 = **720 €**
- Final ALG: 1,200 - 720 = **480 €**

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter side income: 465 €
2. Verify ALG amount reduced to 480 €
3. Verify side income impact shows 720 € reduction
4. Verify breakdown shows 3 reduction steps (60%)

#### Test Case 4.4: Side Income - Maximum Reduction (80%)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 665 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 1,200 €
- Excess: 665 - 165 = 500 €
- Reduction steps: floor(500 / 100) = 5 steps
- Reduction percentage: 5 × 20% = 100% (capped at 80%)
- Reduction amount: 1,200 × 0.80 = **960 €** (maximum)
- Final ALG: 1,200 - 960 = **240 €** (minimum 20%)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter side income: 665 €
2. Verify ALG amount reduced to 240 € (minimum)
3. Verify side income impact shows 960 € reduction (maximum 80%)
4. Verify breakdown shows reduction capped at 80%

#### Test Case 4.5: Updated Minijob Reference (603 €)
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 603 € (Minijob 2026)
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 1,200 €
- Excess: 603 - 165 = 438 €
- Reduction steps: floor(438 / 100) = 4 steps
- Reduction percentage: 4 × 20% = 80% (capped)
- Reduction amount: 1,200 × 0.80 = **960 €**
- Final ALG: 1,200 - 960 = **240 €**

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter side income: 603 € (current Minijob limit)
2. Verify calculation uses new value
3. Verify content mentions "603 € Minijob" (not "520 €")
4. Verify FAQ answers reference "603 €"

### 5. Edge Cases Testing

#### Test Case 5.1: Very High Income
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 10,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 10,000 × 0.60 = 6,000 €
- Max ALG (West): 2,390 €
- Final ALG: **2,390 €** (capped)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter very high income: 10,000 €
2. Verify ALG capped at 2,390 €
3. Verify calculator handles large numbers correctly

#### Test Case 5.2: Very Low Income
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 500 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 0 €
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 500 × 0.60 = **300 €**
- Final ALG: **300 €** (not capped)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter low income: 500 €
2. Verify ALG calculated correctly: 300 €
3. Verify no capping applied

#### Test Case 5.3: Side Income Exactly at Freibetrag
**Input:**
- Income type: Netto
- Income amount: 2,000 €/month
- Age: 35
- Children: No
- Employment months: 24
- Side income: 165 € (exactly Freibetrag)
- Region: West

**Expected Results:**
- Base ALG: 1,200 €
- Side income: 165 € (= Freibetrag)
- Excess: 0 €
- Reduction: 0 €
- Final ALG: **1,200 €** (unchanged)

**Verification Steps:**
1. Enter side income: exactly 165 €
2. Verify no reduction applied
3. Verify ALG unchanged: 1,200 €

## Export Testing

### CSV Export Testing

#### Test Case E1: CSV Export
**Steps:**
1. Perform calculation (use Test Case 1.1)
2. Click "CSV exportieren"
3. Open downloaded CSV file
4. Verify header shows "Arbeitslosengeld-Rechner 2026"
5. Verify all input values correct
6. Verify all calculated values correct
7. Verify Minijob references show "603 €" (if applicable)

**Expected CSV Content:**
- Header: "Arbeitslosengeld-Rechner 2026"
- Inputs section: All input values
- Results section: ALG amount, duration
- Breakdown section: Netto income, ALG percentage, base ALG, max ALG, etc.

### PDF Export Testing

#### Test Case E2: PDF Export
**Steps:**
1. Perform calculation (use Test Case 1.1)
2. Click "PDF exportieren"
3. Open downloaded PDF file
4. Verify header shows "Arbeitslosengeld-Rechner - Ordio"
5. Verify creation date shows current date
6. Verify all values match calculator results
7. Verify formatting is correct

## Content Verification

### FAQ Verification

#### Test Case C1: FAQ Content
**Steps:**
1. Scroll to FAQ section
2. Verify FAQ title shows "2026"
3. Verify all FAQ answers reference current values:
   - Minijob references show "603 €" (not "520 €")
   - Höchstbeträge show "2390 € (West) / 2320 € (Ost)"
   - Freibetrag shows "165 €"
4. Verify calculations in FAQ answers are correct

### Schema Markup Verification

#### Test Case C2: Schema Validation
**Steps:**
1. View page source
2. Find schema markup (JSON-LD)
3. Verify `datePublished` shows "2026-01-01"
4. Verify FAQPage schema includes updated Minijob question/answer
5. Verify HowTo schema shows "2026"
6. Test with Google Rich Results Test tool

## Browser Console Verification

### Test Case B1: Console Errors
**Steps:**
1. Open browser DevTools (F12)
2. Navigate to Console tab
3. Load calculator page
4. Perform calculations
5. Verify no JavaScript errors
6. Verify no console.log statements (should be none)
7. Verify constants loaded correctly

**Expected:**
- No errors
- No warnings
- Constants available: `window.alg1Constants`

## Verification Commands

### Check Constants in Browser Console

```javascript
// Check constants loaded
console.log(window.alg1Constants);

// Verify values
console.log('MAX_ALG_WEST:', window.alg1Constants.MAX_ALG_WEST);
console.log('MAX_ALG_EAST:', window.alg1Constants.MAX_ALG_EAST);
console.log('FREIBETRAG:', window.alg1Constants.FREIBETRAG);
console.log('ALG_PERCENTAGE_NO_CHILDREN:', window.alg1Constants.ALG_PERCENTAGE_NO_CHILDREN);
console.log('ALG_PERCENTAGE_WITH_CHILDREN:', window.alg1Constants.ALG_PERCENTAGE_WITH_CHILDREN);

// Expected:
// MAX_ALG_WEST: 2390
// MAX_ALG_EAST: 2320
// FREIBETRAG: 165
// ALG_PERCENTAGE_NO_CHILDREN: 60
// ALG_PERCENTAGE_WITH_CHILDREN: 67
```

## Common Issues & Troubleshooting

### Issue: Calculations show wrong values
**Solution:** Clear browser cache and hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R / Cmd+Shift+R)

### Issue: Minijob references still show "520 €"
**Solution:** 
1. Verify PHP file updated (grep for "603" in PHP file)
2. Clear browser cache
3. Hard refresh page

### Issue: Constants not loading
**Solution:**
1. Check Network tab for JS file loads
2. Verify constants.js loaded before calculator.js
3. Check browser console for errors

## Deployment Checklist

Before deploying to production:

- [ ] All code changes committed
- [ ] Constants verified for 2026
- [ ] Schema datePublished updated to "2026-01-01"
- [ ] Minijob references updated (8 locations)
- [ ] All content references updated
- [ ] FAQ answers accurate
- [ ] No "2025" references remain
- [ ] No console errors
- [ ] All calculations verified
- [ ] Exports tested
- [ ] Minified files regenerated (`npm run minify`)

## Post-Deployment Monitoring

After deployment, monitor:

1. **Error Logs:** Check for any JavaScript errors
2. **User Feedback:** Monitor for calculation complaints
3. **Constants Loading:** Verify constants load correctly
4. **Calculation Accuracy:** Monitor for calculation errors
5. **Performance:** Check page load times
6. **Analytics:** Monitor tool usage patterns

## Success Criteria

✅ All calculations use 2026 values  
✅ Minijob references show 603 € (not 520 €)  
✅ All constants verified  
✅ All content accurate  
✅ Schema markup correct  
✅ Exports work correctly  
✅ No console errors  
✅ All FAQs accurate  

## Support

If issues are found during testing:
1. Document the issue with screenshots
2. Note the exact input values
3. Check browser console for errors
4. Verify constants values are correct
5. Report to development team

## Key Changes Summary

**Critical Changes:**
- Constants: All verified unchanged for 2026 ✅
- Minijob references: 520 € → **603 €** (8 locations) ✅
- Schema datePublished: Updated from previous year to **2026-01-01** ✅
- Calculator comment: 2025 → **2026** ✅
- Documentation: Updated to 2026 ✅

**Impact:**
- Content now reflects current 2026 Minijob limit
- Calculations remain accurate (constants unchanged)
- Schema markup updated for SEO
- Documentation current