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German Pension Refund Eligibility |USA
The information below is for American citizens who previously worked in Germany and contributed to the German pension system.
Germany - USA | German Pension Refund | All Rights Reserved
German Pension Refund Eligibility for American Citizens
How to get a German Pension Refund online | Germany Pension Refund | All Rights Reserved
As an American Expat, while you were employed in Germany, each month a percentage of your gross salary was paid to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung - the statutory German Pension Insurance - as a pension insurance contribution for your retirement pension.
But what happens to your contributions now, after you have left Germany? Can you get that money back?
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The German Social Security Code (§210 SGB VI) regulates the reimbursement of pension contributions from the German Pension Insurance in general, while the Social Security Agreement between Germany and United States of America defines how this law applies to you.
Rule of Thumb For Americans:
As an American you can be reimbursed only if you have worked in Germany for less than 5 years and since your last contribution in Germany 24 months have passed.
Can American Citizens Claim a Refund of their German Pension Contributions?
After leaving Germany you are generally eligible for a German pension refund, if...
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a) you are not allowed to keep paying German Pension contributions (voluntary insurance) where you currently live, and...
b) at least 24 months have passed since the last pension contribution payment in Germany.
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If you are allowed to pay voluntary insurance (a), is defined by the agreement with your home country.
Office building Rentenversicherung, Berlin | The German statutory pension insurance | All Rights Reserved
Are American Citizens Allowed to Pay Pension Insurance Contributions After Leaving Germany?
The Social Security Agreement* between Germany and USA answers that question:
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If you still live in the EU or the United Kingdom, you are allowed to keep paying pension contributions to Germany.
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Also, if you have already paid contributions for at least 60 months you are allowed to keep paying German Pension Contributions from anywhere in the world. In that case you cannot get a refund, because you have qualified for old age pension from Germany and as an US citizen you are allowed to pay voluntary contribution (no matter if you make use of it).
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In other words:
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As an American citizen, you can only get a pension refund if you have not qualified for retirement pension yet, and you live outside of the EU / United Kingdom.
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*Agreement between Germany and the USA on Social Security (DE/EN)
Social Security Agreement:
Based on the Social Security Agreement between Germany and USA you are allowed to grow your German pension from anywhere in the world (voluntary insurance) after leaving Germany if you have qualified for old age pension.
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As a American Expat in Germany, after 60 monthly contributions you qualify for a retirement pension.
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If you have not qualified, but still live in the EU or the United Kingdom, you are allowed to pay towards the 60 months to qualify, too.
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If you have not qualified for pension, and you live outside the EU or the United Kingdom, you could be eligible for a pension refund, 24 months after the last contribution was paid.
​How Long Does a German Pension Refund for American Citizens Take?
The German pension authority is supposed to provide a decision on your claim within 6 months from submission.
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If after 6 months you have not received a decision (Bescheid) from the authorities in Germany, our specialists will take legal action based on the Social Court Act (§88 SGG) and sue the authority for inaction. The court will then force the pension office to act.
How We Speed Up the Refund Process:
GermanyPensionRefund.com is able to provide you with the fastest average process times of 8 weeks while others have to wait six months or longer.
A German law firm escrow account will be provided, which makes your refund process most Easy, Quick, and Secure. The correspondence happens within days, and our legal specialists know exactly how to speed up the process for you.
How Much Can I Claim From My German Pension Insurance?
While you were employed in Germany, 9.3%* was deducted from your gross salary up to the income threshold and transferred to the German Pension Insurance.
As an American citizens you can claim your pension insurance contributions based on the rules explained above.
Use our free reimbursement calculator to get an estimate of your possible premium reimbursement.
Stefan Ikelman
MAR/07/2024
Simply a fantastic service!
Simply a fantastic service! While you do have to take the time to gather and provide all the info they need to process the refund, they provide a great service and relatively quick in comparison. I could only imagine having to do this myself. Surely all foreigners wish to forget the nightmarish experiences at the Ausländerbehörde, so were not looking forward to doing this type of work with another likely unhelpful government agency. So we kept putting it off, until we found this team. So happy we did! Johannes was our guy and always kept us in the loop, and in the end, success! Their fee is all on contingency so nothing out of pocket and certainly well spent. No need to hesitate further, get your cash back!
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Hansun Hsiung
MAR/05/2024
The fee was modest compared to the time and effort saved
Highly recommended! Christian gave prompt and careful attention to my application, turning what would otherwise be a complicated process into one that was extremely simple and efficient (e.g., translations of all forms, explicit directions on how to fill forms out, etc.). In my case, at least, the fee was modest compared to the time and effort saved and the amount ultimately recuperated.
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Mihir Patwardhan
FEB/23/2024
Great company to work with...great communication...highly recommend!
This is a great company to work with. Johannes is an amazing client partner, with great communication. I got regular updates on the status of my case. Would highly recommend!
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Devi Rajan
FEB/14/2024
The best part is the prompt response each time I ask something
My experience with Germany Pension Refund was excellent! Mr. Johannes clarified all my questions and updated me throughout the process. The best part is the prompt response from Mr. Johannes each time I ask something. I have no complaints at all. I highly recommend "German Pension Refund". Overall a great experience and a job well done! Thank you!
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C. McCartney
JAN/31/2024
Painless and very transparent
Great service, Johannes kept me up to date every step of the way.
My refund was processed and received in a little over month. I can definitely recommend using this company
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Clarissa Franklin
JAN/30/2024
Translations were regularly provided so I understood what I was signing
Johannes has been great to work with. Communication and instructions were clear and translations were regularly provided so I understood what I was signing. He made the process simple for me.
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Francisco Galvan
JAN/06/2024
Pension refund in record time
Our process started in July for me and my wife. My wife's refund was delivered in a few months and my refund arrived today. I highly recommend Germany Pension Refund. Johannes and his team delivered were very accommodating to all are questions and concerns. In the end we received my wife's pension refund in record time. I truly believe we could have not done it with out Johannes and Germany Pension Refund! Thanks Johannes and Team!
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Brittany Swelam
JAN/03/2024
A pleasure to work with from start to finish... I highly recommend!
Johannes was a pleasure to work with from start to finish! He kept me updated throughout the process and was quick to answer any questions I had. I highly recommend Johannes and his team!
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Maclellan Swan
NOV/23/2023
Seamless Experience
Excellent communication and a fast resolution. It was a really seamless experience working with the team here!
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Tim Burke
NOV/18/2023
Couldn't be happier with the results
Julia and her team were a pleasure to work with. They provided all of the proper documentation and communication throughout the process of my refund. It took about 2 months or so from end to end and I couldn't be happier with the results. Thank you!
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Nicolas Moessner
OCT/17/2023
Totally legit...refund in very timely manner
This firm is totally legit, knows the intricacies of the German system, is extremely nice and got my refund in a very timely manner. Johannes took very good care of my case. Nicolas
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David Kirschberg
OCT/10/2023
Absolutely Seamless Process
Absolutely seamless process. Fair rates and great communications. Highly recommended.
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