What are the consequences of moving abroad on my pension entitlements?
March 21, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Christian Voigt
Dear lawyer,
My name is Luisa Kleine and I have a question regarding my pension entitlements. I am planning to move abroad in the near future and I am wondering what the consequences will be for my pension entitlements in Germany.
Currently, I am employed in Germany and paying into the statutory pension insurance. I have worked in Germany for several years and I am wondering if my previous contributions will be recognized in the foreign country I am moving to.
I am concerned that by moving abroad, I may lose my current pension entitlements or that the amount of my pension may decrease. I want to ensure that I will have a sufficient pension in old age and not suffer any financial losses due to my move.
Can you please explain to me what the consequences of moving abroad are for my pension entitlements in Germany? Are there ways to claim or maintain my pension entitlements abroad? What steps do I need to take to secure my pension entitlements in the foreign country?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Luisa Kleine
Dear Mrs. Kleine,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your pension entitlements and a possible move abroad. As a lawyer specializing in social security law, I can provide you with some information on this topic.
If you are contributing to the statutory pension insurance in Germany and then move abroad, this usually has implications on your pension entitlements. The exact regulations depend on the destination country, as there are different social security agreements between Germany and other countries.
In general, it is possible that your previous contributions in Germany will be recognized in the foreign country, especially if Germany has a social security agreement with the destination country. Typically, your previous contributions will then be credited towards your pension entitlements abroad.
To ensure that you have a sufficient pension in old age and do not suffer financial losses due to your move, it is important to inform yourself in a timely manner about the regulations in the destination country. You should contact the German Pension Insurance and clarify how your pension entitlements can be secured abroad.
There are various ways to claim your pension entitlements abroad. In some countries, it may be possible for you to continue paying contributions to the German pension insurance. In other countries, you can secure your pension entitlements through the social security agreement.
It is advisable to contact the German Pension Insurance early on and seek individual advice. The experts there can provide you with more detailed information on the regulations in the destination country and assist you in securing your pension entitlements.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Christian Voigt, Lawyer
