The invention relates to a belt retractor comprising a frame (10), a belt reel (12) rotatably arranged within the frame, a blocking mechanism (18) by which the belt reel (12) can be blocked within the frame (10), and a load limiter (14) which is detachably coupled to the belt reel (12), characterized in that for coupling the load limiter (14) at least one load-transmitting bar (28) is used which is arranged at the belt reel (12) and is retained in a coupling position by a support ring (32), wherein the support ring (32) can be moved from a supporting position to a release position by means of an actor (70).