If you have paid mandatory contributions to the German pension fund for less than 5 years altogether and currently live outside of the EU, you may be able to have your pension contributions refunded.
Non-EU citizens can apply for a refund if more than 24 months have passed since their last contribution.
German citizens and citizens of another EU-country may be able to claim a refund after having reached the German retirement age.
If you have paid contributions for 5 years or more, you will not be able to claim a refund. Instead, you will be able to apply for and receive a monthly pension upon reaching the German retirement age.
In order to claim a refund, please fill out, sign and submit the following documentation to the German Pension Insurance:
- Form “Antrag auf Beitragserstattung” (Application for a Pension Contribution Refund)
- “Zahlungsermächtigung” (Declaration of Payment, Form A 1064)
- “Certificate of Life and Citizenship” (Form A 9060 - certified by a Notary Public, a bank or a German Foreign Mission.
(see links below)
For white collar workers:
Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund
10704 Berlin
For blue collar workers:
Deutsche Rentenversicherung Nord
Friedrich-Ebert-Damm 245
22159 Hamburg
