Pension in Germany: When can I retire at the earliest?

Pension in Germany: When can I retire at the earliest?

Employees in Germany have to wait different lengths of time for retirement depending on their year of birth. The retirement age is regulated by the German Pension Insurance (DRV) and is to be gradually increased to 67 by 2031. For insured people born between 1958 and 1963, it is possible to retire without deductions before their 67th birthday. But for everyone born after 1964, the retirement age is 67 after 35 years of contributions.

Employees born after 1964 can retire before the age of 67, but only with discounts. However, there is an exception for miners who work “underground.” This professional group can retire from the age of 60 without having to accept any reductions. It is important to note that pensions in Germany depend on various criteria, including the number of years of contributions paid and specific insurance periods for different types of pensions.

Pension insurance in Germany requires a minimum insurance period of five years in order to be entitled to an old-age pension. For the old-age pension for “long-term insured people” or “severely disabled people”, 35 years of work are required. There is also the possibility of shortening the “waiting period” through special measures, for example by submitting 45 years of contributions. This means you can be considered a “particularly long-term insured person” and potentially reach retirement age earlier.