Your German pension: reading the Renteninformation and getting contributions refunded when you leave

Everyone in employment subject to social insurance pays 18.6% of their gross salary into the statutory pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung), half of which is paid by the employer. Understanding your pension rights matters even if you only plan to stay temporarily.

How pension points (Entgeltpunkte) work

Germany's state pension is a pay-as-you-go system based on points. For each year in which you earn exactly the national average, you receive one pension point. When you retire, your points are multiplied by the current pension value (Rentenwert).

The annual pension statement (Renteninformation)

After five years of contributions, insured people receive a pension statement every year. It shows your current entitlement to a reduced earning capacity pension, your projected old-age pension and the effect of future pension adjustments.

The minimum insurance period of five years

You are only entitled to an old-age pension after at least five years of insurance (60 months of contributions). Periods in other EU countries can be added together under European coordination rules.

Refunds of contributions after leaving Germany for good

Nationals of non-EU countries can have their contributions refunded after leaving Germany permanently (Section 210 SGB VI). The conditions are that at least 24 months have passed since your compulsory insurance ended and that you have no right to voluntary insurance in Germany (EU citizens and nationals of some countries with social security agreements do have this right). Only the employee's share – half of the contributions – is refunded.

Next step

German pension contributions are not lost: after five years of insurance they give you a pension entitlement, and in some cases they can be refunded after you leave.