Abstract: A plug-in contact element, which is fabricated from a sheet metal stamping for receiving a post-like plug-in contact pin having four sides has a basic contact member provided with a rear connecting region, a central base region and a front contact region linked together one behind another in a one piece construction along a longitudinal axis, the central base region having a box shaped configuration, and the front contact region including contact spring arms for contacting the sides of the plug-in contact pin. A rectangular sleeve is arranged around the central base region and the front contact region so that the contact spring arms are protectively disposed within the rectangualr sleeve. A polarization plate and a latching spring arm project outwardly from a sleeve top wall of the rectangular sleeve.