With the pension for long-term insured persons, you can receive an old-age pension before reaching the standard retirement age, subject to reductions.

If you were born between 1949 and 1963, the retirement age for a pension without reductions will be gradually raised from 65 to 67.

If you were born in 1949 or earlier, the retirement age is 65. However, you can also claim the old-age pension for long-term insured persons early—at the earliest upon reaching the age of 63. In that case, however, you will receive a reduction of up to 14.4 percent.
 

• You have met the minimum insurance period (waiting period) of 35 years.
• You have reached the applicable age.

The waiting period includes:

• Contributions from employment or self-employment. Under certain conditions, months during which you received sick pay, unemployment benefits, or, between January 2005 and December 2010, Unemployment Benefit II or transitional allowance also count.
• voluntary contribution periods,
• periods of child-rearing for the first 2.5 or 3 years of a child’s life,
• months of non-remunerated home care,
• months from a pension rights equalization in the event of divorce,
• contributions for mini-jobs that you paid together with your employer. Contributions for mini-jobs that your employer paid alone are only taken into account on a pro-rata basis,
• Months from pension splitting between spouses or registered civil partners,
• Substitute periods: for example, months of political persecution in the GDR,
• Creditable periods: periods during which you were unable to pay pension insurance contributions for personal reasons, such as illness, pregnancy, unemployment, school education, and university studies,
• Periods taken into account: for example, periods spent raising a child who is under 10 years of age.
   

You can submit your application online, in person, or by mail.

Online application:

• On the German Pension Insurance (DRV) website under “Online Services,” you will find detailed information about the process. 
• If you follow the “Submit Application” link, you will be guided through the remaining steps and can select the desired application.
• Alternatively, you can use the online services after registering. This allows you, for example, to immediately see which insurance periods have already been recorded. You’ll also save time and won’t have to re-enter information you’ve already provided.
• Complete the application entirely online and upload the required documents.
• Submit your application online.
• You will receive a confirmation of submission.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision regarding your application.

In-person application:

• Gather the necessary documents for your application and call the DRV to schedule an appointment. 
• During your in-person appointment, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the responsible pension insurance provider.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application. 
• You will receive a decision regarding your application.

Written application:

• Go to the DRV website.
• Download the desired application form. 
• You can also pick up the form in person at the information and counseling centers.
• Fill out the application form, sign it, and attach the required documents.
• Send all documents 
  • by mail to your pension insurance provider, or
  • submit them at one of the local counseling centers.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application. 
• You will receive a decision regarding your application.

A person you trust can also submit your pension application on your behalf. To do so, please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance agency. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance agency will communicate exclusively with the person you have authorized.

If you give your consent to electronic communication, all correspondence can take place online. You can either use the electronic mailbox under the online services with registration or De-Mail.
 

• Objection. 
  • You can find detailed information in the decision regarding your pension application.
• Lawsuit before the Social Court. 
  • You can find detailed information in the notice of appeal.

If possible, you should submit your application three months before the desired start date of your pension.

Processing usually takes up to 3 months.

• Pension Application for Long-Term Insured Persons
• Identification document (such as an ID card, passport, birth certificate, or family register)

There are no costs involved.

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal applications accepted: No
In-person appearance required: No
 

Online services available: Yes