As a citizen of Morocco who has experienced working in Germany, familiarizing yourself with the criteria for obtaining a pension refund is essential. Your payments into the German pension system are a significant element of the country’s social welfare framework. However, navigating the process to reclaim these contributions upon leaving Germany, especially understanding the requirements for nationals of Morocco, can appear daunting.
This article delves into the crucial details concerning eligibility for a Pension contribution refund for citizens of Morocco.
Whether you’re contemplating requesting a refund of your German pension or seeking to understand the social security arrangements between Germany and Morocco better, this guide aims to offer clear insights and guidance to assist you in making informed decisions about your financial future after departing from Germany.
German pension refund entitlement for citizens of Morocco
As a foreigner living and working in Germany, you contribute approximately 9% of your monthly taxable income to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, which is the official pension insurance system in Germany. It’s vital to understand that this contribution is a shared responsibility, with your employer matching your payments into the social security system.
So what happens when you stop working in Germany and leave? Can they be claimed back?
The guidelines for requesting a refund of your pension contributions from the German Pension Insurance are specified in the German Social Security Code (§210 SGB VI) and are further detailed in the Social Security Agreement between Germany and Morocco. This agreement is tailored to the needs of nationals of Morocco, detailing eligibility criteria and the process for applying for a refund of your contributions.
Understanding the procedure for claiming a refund of your German pension contributions is key as you plan for your future post-Germany. As a citizen of Morocco, you may be eligible for a refund, provided you fulfill certain conditions.| When planning your future after leaving Germany, it is important to understand the procedure for claiming a refund of your German pension contributions. As a citizen of Morocco, you may be entitled to a refund if you meet certain conditions.}
Eligibility for pension refund: General criteria
When you leave Germany, you generally become eligible for a refund of your German pension contributions if:
a) you are ineligible to make voluntary contributions to the German pension system (voluntary insurance/freiwillige Versicherung) from your new place of residence.
and
b) at least 24 months have passed since your most recent contribution to Germany’s statutory pension scheme.
The option to make voluntary insurance payments (a) depends on the social security agreement between Germany and your home country.
Generally speaking, you are not entitled to get your German Pension Contributions refunded if
a) You are entitled to or are already receiving a German pension.
b) You can make statutory pension contributions or are covered by compulsory insurance in Germany.
c) You have the option of making voluntary contributions to the German pension scheme (voluntary insurance).
In short: The eligibility for German Pension Refund for Citizens of Morocco
As a citizen of Morocco, you are only entitled to a refund of your German pension contributions if your employment in Germany lasted less than 5 years (i.e. you paid pension contributions in Germany for a maximum of 59 months) and at least 24 months have elapsed since your last pension contribution in Germany.
Intergovernmental agreements on social security
The exchange of social security benefits between the two countries is governed by bilateral agreements between Germany and Morocco.
Specifically, these agreements state that as a citizen of Morocco living in Germany as a tax resident, you are eligible for a German retirement pension after a contribution period of 60 months.
With regard to voluntary contributions to the German pension insurance scheme, the Social Security Agreement stipulates that if you are resident in the EU or the UK, you will be given the option of continuing to make contributions to qualify for a statutory pension in Germany.
In addition, if you have already paid contributions for at least 60 months, you can continue to pay into the German pension system from anywhere in the world.
This means that if you live in the EU/UK, or if you have paid into the German pension system for at least 60 months, you will not be eligible for a Pension contribution refund. This is because you are entitled to a German pension and the agreement allows you to make voluntary contributions even if you do not benefit directly from them.
If you do not meet the pension eligibility criteria and live outside the EU or the UK, you may be entitled to a pension refund 24 months after your last contribution.
Use our free eligibility check to claim your Pension contribution refund
Navigating the terrain of German pension refunds reveals that processing times can significantly vary, often extending from several months to over half a year. For those seeking a swifter process, specialized services provide an accelerated pathway.
In addition, Pension contribution refund is made easy through our online tool in the form of a free eligibility check. These tools are designed to seamlessly assess your eligibility for a Pension contribution refund and estimate the potential refund amount. The pension check ensures a transparent and straightforward process for checking your pension insurance records with the German Pension Fund and initiating a Pension contribution refund.