German Pension Insurance
The German pension scheme is a compulsory system that is basically tied to gainful employment. Usually employees, pay (as of 2015) every month 7.3% of their gross income to the German Federal Pension Fund ("Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung").
The statutory pension insurance provides old-age pensions, reduced earning capacity pensions and survivors' pensions.
The pension entitlement is based on the number of contribution years, the average level of income and the retirement age.
Pension refund
Three different conditions have to be met in order to be eligible to get a pension refund before you reach the retirement age.
- You are currently not insured in the German pension fund.
- Currently you don't have the possibility to be voluntarily insured in the German pension fund.
- The last time you have been compulsory insured in the German pension fund is at least 24 calendar months ago.
The possibility for you to be voluntarily insured depends on your nationality, where you are living, and sometimes how long you have paid into the German pension fund. However: As long as you are living in the EU, you cannot get a refund.
Please check with the International office who can give you some further information on Pension payment and Pension refund.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung – The corporate side of the German Pension fund.
Euraxess Pension Scheme – Useful information on Pension.