Can I get a refund of my German pension contributions?

Generally only if you're a non-EU/EEA citizen living outside the EU, it's been at least 24 months since your last contribution, and you have under 5 years (60 months) of contributions. EU/EEA/UK/Swiss citizens keep a future proportional pension instead of a refund.

Is taking the German pension refund a good idea?

It depends. The refund is a one-time lump of your employee contributions; preserving the years can pay a monthly pension for life from age 67. For many people the preserved pension is worth more within about ten years of retirement — and taking the refund permanently cancels those years.

Does the refund include my employer's contributions?

No — a refund covers only your own (employee) contributions. The employer share is not refunded, which competitors often bury.

Free Tools

German Pension Refund Calculator

Left Germany? See what a contribution refund would pay you, and what you'd give up forever.

Rates updated for 2026

Other calculators tell you what you'd get back. This one also shows what you'd give up.

Citizenship

Where you live now

Years in Germany

+ months

Average gross annual salary (€)

A rough average across your German years is fine.

Months since your last German contribution

You're living outside the EU, it's been 24+ months since your last contribution, and you're under the 5-year pension threshold — so a refund is available.

You could take the refund — but the social-security agreement between United States and Germany may also let these months count toward a pension via totalization. Compare both before cancelling these years. Check with the Vesting & Totalization tool.

Figures current for 2026 · reviewed Jul 2026

Your refund would be roughly € 22.320 — but keeping the years is worth ~€ 196,46/month for life from 67. The refund stops being the better deal around age 76.Most refund calculators stop at the cash. This one also shows the pension you'd give up.

From age 76, keeping the pension has paid you more than the refund.

Assumptions & caveats

Directional estimates — your actual refund is based on your real contribution record (request it from Deutsche Rentenversicherung below). The refund covers employee contributions only; the employer share isn't refunded. It's generally paid tax-free by Germany but may be taxable where you live, and taking it permanently cancels those years. Pension values are shown in today's terms.

DIY keeps 100%

On your ≈€ 22.320 refund, a done-for-you agency would typically keep ≈€ 2.176 (about 9–10%, capped around € 2.375–€ 2.500). Filing it yourself with form V0901 is free — you keep the lot. An agency handles the paperwork for that fee; the form is the same either way.

File it yourself with form V0901 (free)

Ready to act? These are the real forms

You can file the refund yourself with the official DRV forms — no agency needed.

This is one pension in isolation.

PensionChart shows all of yours together — how they interact and the deadlines you can't miss.

See how your German years fit with the rest

Estimates only, not financial advice.

🇩🇪 See the full Germany pension guide

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a refund of my German pension contributions?: Generally only if you're a non-EU/EEA citizen living outside the EU, it's been at least 24 months since your last contribution, and you have under 5 years (60 months) of contributions. EU/EEA/UK/Swiss citizens keep a future proportional pension instead of a refund.
Is taking the German pension refund a good idea?: It depends. The refund is a one-time lump of your employee contributions; preserving the years can pay a monthly pension for life from age 67. For many people the preserved pension is worth more within about ten years of retirement — and taking the refund permanently cancels those years.
Does the refund include my employer's contributions?: No — a refund covers only your own (employee) contributions. The employer share is not refunded, which competitors often bury.