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Third-party pension; information on how to apply

The term "foreign pensions" refers to benefits under the Foreign Pensions Act (FRG). This law allows foreign ("foreign") periods to be taken into account in German pension insurance under certain conditions.

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Based on the basic idea of integration, entitled persons under the FRG are placed in the same position as if they had spent their working and insurance life in Germany.

Recognized displaced persons, refugees, resettlers, ethnic German repatriates, ethnic German repatriates, homeless foreigners within the meaning of the Act on the Legal Status of Homeless Foreigners in the Federal Territory and surviving dependants of these persons are generally treated in the same way as employees with similar employment in the federal territory when calculating pensions in the statutory pension insurance scheme with regard to their employment in their former country of origin, provided that special requirements are met.

The employment history in the respective country of origin is transferred to the German pension system with the help of tables; these tables reflect the average gross wages of insured persons with comparable qualifications and professional careers in Germany or in the former GDR. However, the resulting values were reduced across the board to 70% from August 1, 1991. The values are reduced to 60 % for those moving to Germany after 07.05.1996 and/or commencing their pension after 30.09.1996.

For beneficiaries under the Foreign Pensions Act who have moved to Germany since May 7, 1996, the total pension benefits based on the Foreign Pensions Act may not exceed a certain maximum value. This maximum value does not apply to each individual pension, but to the individual beneficiary. Therefore, if a person is entitled to two pensions (e.g. old-age pension and widow's pension), each of which includes periods under the Foreign Pensions Act, the maximum value applies to both pensions together. For spouses, life partners and persons living in a marriage-like relationship, a further maximum value must be observed, which the pension benefits of both partners from periods under the Foreign Pensions Act may not exceed in total. If the periods completed in the country of origin would result in higher pension entitlements overall, the maximum value is divided between the two persons in proportion to the respective shares under the Foreign Pensions Act.

If contribution or employment periods are proven, they are taken into account in full. If, on the other hand, such periods are only credibly substantiated with the relevant documents and other documents from the country of origin or with affidavits - i.e. if, according to the results of the investigations, their existence appears predominantly probable without, however, the requirements for full proof being met - they are only taken into account at 5/6 when calculating the pension. Credible or proven substitute periods and credited periods are taken into account in full. They are assessed as part of the overall benefit assessment.

The following groups of people can apply for a foreign pension:

  • Recognized displaced persons, refugees, repatriates, resettlers, late repatriates, homeless foreigners within the meaning of the law on the legal status of homeless foreigners in the federal territory (The Federal Office of Administration in Friedland is responsible for recognition as a displaced person or late repatriate. Recognition as a late repatriate must be applied for yourself, recognition as a displaced person (immigration before 1993) is now only granted upon application by the pension insurance institution).
  • Surviving dependants of these persons

  • Evidence of contribution or employment periods
    e.g. employment and insurance records, employer's certificates, or other suitable documents to establish credibility

In principle, all periods relevant to the pension that were completed in the country of origin must be proven in Germany. If this is not possible for certain periods, these can also be made credible.

Make an appointment with the relevant pension insurance institution to clarify which documents are required (see "Further links").

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The submission of a concordant declaration for the retroactive allocation of child-raising and child-related periods to one parent can be submitted within one year of moving to Germany.

If children were raised together in the country of origin and the father, but not the mother, belongs to the group of persons entitled to the FRG, the child-raising periods can be credited to the father's pension. However, the transfer of the child-raising periods to his insurance account must also be applied for within one year of moving to Germany by means of a joint declaration.

If the pension insurance institution in the country of origin pays a pension whose periods were also recognized in Germany under the Foreign Pensions Act, the pension from the country of origin is offset against the pension in Germany.

  • Pension insurance; information and advice

    Statutory pension insurance offers protection against the risks of old age, disability and death, particularly for employees, but also for certain self-employed persons and other groups of people.

Status: 06.05.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales
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