As a citizen of Brazil who has experienced working in Germany, it’s important to get to know the criteria for getting a pension refunded. Your contributions to the German pension system are an important part of the country’s Social Security system. However, navigating the process of reclaiming these contributions when you leave Germany, especially understanding the requirements for nationals of Brazil, can seem daunting.
This article goes into the crucial details of the eligibility for a Refund of German Pension Contributions for the citizens of Brazil.
Whether you’re contemplating requesting a refund of your German pension or seeking to understand the social security arrangements between Germany and Brazil 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 Eligibility for Citizens of Brazil
As an expat living and working in Germany, you will contribute approximately 9% of your monthly taxable income to Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the official pension scheme in Germany. It’s important 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 Brazil. This agreement is tailored to the needs of nationals of Brazil, 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 Brazil, 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 Brazil, 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.
Typically, you do not qualify for a refund of your German Pension contributions if:
a) You are eligible for pension benefits or are already receiving a retirement pension from Germany.
b) You can make statutory pension contributions or are covered by compulsory insurance in Germany.
c) You have the opportunity to make voluntary contributions to the German pension scheme (freiwillige Versicherung).
In short: The entitlement to a German pension refund for nationals of Brazil
As a citizen of Brazil, 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 bilateral agreements between Germany and Brazil regulate the exchange of social security benefits between the two countries.
In particular, these agreements state that as a citizen of Brazil who is resident for tax purposes in Germany, you are entitled to a German old-age 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 Refund of German Pension Contributions. 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.
Claim your Refund of German Pension Contributions with our Free Eligibility Check
When navigating the terrain of German pension refunds, it becomes clear that processing times can vary considerably. They can often stretch from several months to more than six months. For those seeking a quicker process, specialized services offer an accelerated route.
Additionally, the Refund of German Pension Contributions is made easy through our online tool in the form of a free eligibility check. These instruments are designed to evaluate your eligibility for a Refund of German Pension Contributions seamlessly and estimate the potential refund amount. The pension check ensures a transparent and straightforward process for examining your pension insurance records with the German pension fund and initiating a Refund of German Pension Contributions.