Apply for an old-age pension for particularly long-term insured persons ("Pension from 63")
Under certain conditions, you can receive a pension before reaching the standard retirement age with the "pension for particularly long-term insured persons".
If you were born before 1 January 1953, you can receive an old-age pension for particularly long-term insured persons from the age of 63.
If you were born after 1 January 1953, the age limit increases by two months with each year of birth. For example, if you were born on 1 January 1964, you can retire without deductions after 45 years of contributions as soon as you reach the age of 65.
Before you submit your application, you should check the insurance history in your pension account. This will allow you to complete any missing periods and have your account clarified by Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Note: You cannot claim the old-age pension for particularly long-term insured persons early - not even with deductions.
Responsible department
Your responsible pension insurance provider.
You can find it using the German Pension Insurance information and advice centre finder or by telephone: 0800 1000-4800 (toll-free)
Service hours:
- Mon. 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m
- Tue. 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m
- Wed. 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m
- Thurs. 7.30 am to 7.30 pm
- Friday: 7.30 am to 3.30 pm
Details
Prerequisite
You have
- fulfilled the minimum insurance period (waiting period) of 45 years and
- reached the relevant age for you.
The qualifying period of 45 years includes
- Compulsory contribution periods for an insured employment or activity,
- Substitute periods,
- Compulsory contribution periods and credited periods due to the receipt of income replacement benefits from the labour promotion scheme,
- Compulsory contribution periods and credit periods due to the receipt of sickness benefits,
- Compulsory contribution periods and credit periods due to the receipt of transitional allowance,
- Periods taken into account due to bringing up children and periods taken into account due to care,
- Periods of voluntary contributions if there are at least 18 years of compulsory contribution periods for an insured employment or activity,
- Waiting period months from supplements of earnings points for earnings from marginal employment not subject to insurance, and
- Waiting period months from supplements of earnings points for earnings from marginal employment for which employees are exempt from compulsory insurance.
The waiting period does not include
- Periods of receipt of income replacement benefits from the employment promotion scheme in the last two years before the start of the pension, unless the receipt of benefits is due to insolvency or the complete closure of the employer's business,
- Periods of voluntary contributions in the last two years before the start of the pension if there is also a qualifying period due to unemployment,
- Calendar months determined by pension equalisation or pension splitting, and
- Periods of receipt of unemployment benefit II and unemployment assistance.
If you were born before 1 January 1953, you can receive an old-age pension for particularly long-term insured persons from the age of 63. If you were born after 1 January 1953, the age limit increases by two months with each year. You cannot claim the old-age pension for particularly long-term insured persons early - not even with deductions.
Procedure
You can apply for the old-age pension for particularly long-term insured persons in writing, in person or online.
Written pension application:
- Download the application form for the insured person's pension from the German Pension Insurance website. Complete the form in full and compile the required documents.
- You can submit your completed and signed application with the required documents either:
- send it by post to your pension insurance provider or
- hand it in at one of the local advice centres.
Online pension application:
- Go to the German Pension Insurance online portal. Log in there with your signature card, your ID card (if electronic proof of identity is activated) or your electronic residence permit.
- Complete the form and upload the necessary documents. Then submit your pension application online.
Apply in person during a counselling session:
- Compile the documents required for the application and make an appointment at a German Pension Insurance information and advice centre.
- During the counselling session, your pension application is usually recorded electronically and forwarded online.
Deadlines
- Applying for a pension: by the end of the third calendar month after the end of the month in which you fulfil the conditions for entitlement.
- Payment of the pension: from the calendar month in which you fulfil the conditions for entitlement to the pension.
Note: If you apply for the pension later, it will be paid from the calendar month in which you applied for the pension.
Required documents
- Identity card or passport
- if the application is submitted by another person: Power of attorney or court order
Costs
none
Processing time
Once all the necessary application documents have been submitted, the pension insurance provider will make a prompt decision.
Miscellaneous
You can also have your pension application submitted by a person you trust. To do this, please submit a corresponding power of attorney to your pension insurance provider. As long as the power of attorney is valid, your pension insurance provider will only contact your authorised representative.
Legal basis
Sozialgesetzbuch Sechstes Buch (SGB VI):
- § 38 Altersrente für besonders langjährig Versicherte
- § 236b Altersrente für besonders langjährig Versicherte
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Bundesarbeitsministerium, 30.09.2019