With the pension for long-term insured persons, you can receive an old-age pension before reaching the standard retirement age with reductions.

If you were born between 1949 and 1963, the age limit for a pension without reductions will be gradually raised from 65 to 67.

If you were born in 1949 or earlier, the age limit is 65. However, you can also claim the old-age pension for long-term insured persons early—at the earliest when you reach the age of 63. In this case, however, you will receive a reduction of up to 14.4 percent.
 

• You have completed the minimum insurance period (waiting period) of 35 years.
• You have reached the relevant age for you.

The waiting period includes:

• Contributions from employment or self-employment. Under certain conditions, months in which you received sick pay, unemployment benefits, or, between January 2005 and December 2010, unemployment benefit II or transitional allowance are also counted.
• voluntary contribution periods,
• child-raising periods for the first 2.5 or 3 years of life,
• Months of non-professional home care,
• months from a pension rights adjustment in the event of divorce,
• contributions for mini-jobs that you paid together with your employer. Contributions for mini-jobs that your employer paid alone are only taken into account on a pro rata basis,
• months from pension splitting between spouses or registered civil partners,
• Substitute periods: for example, months of political persecution in the GDR,
• Credited periods: periods during which you are unable to pay pension insurance contributions for personal reasons, for example due to illness, pregnancy, unemployment, school education, and university studies,
• Credited periods: for example, periods spent raising a child who is not yet 10 years old.
   

You can submit your application online, in person, or in writing.

Online application:

• You will find detailed information on the procedure on the German Pension Insurance (DRV) website under "Online Services." 
• If you follow the "Submit application" link, you will be guided through the remaining steps and can select the desired application.
• Alternatively, you can use the online services by registering. This allows you to see, for example, which insurance periods have already been recorded. It also saves you time and means you don't have to re-enter data that is already known.
• Fill out the application completely online and upload the required documents.
• Submit your application online.
• You will receive a confirmation of submission.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

Personal application:

• Gather the necessary documents for your application and make an appointment with the DRV by telephone. 
• During your personal appointment, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the responsible pension insurance institution.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application. 
• You will receive a notification regarding your application.

Written application:

• Go to the DRV website.
• Download the desired application form. 
• You can also pick up the form in person at the information and advice centers.
• Fill out the application form, sign it, and attach the required documents.
• Send all documents 
  • by mail to your pension insurance provider, or
  • hand them in at one of the local advice centers.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application. 
• You will receive a decision on your application.

A person you trust can also submit your pension application on your behalf. To do this, please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance provider. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance provider will only contact the person you have authorized.

If you give your consent to electronic communication, all correspondence can be conducted online. You can either use the electronic mailbox under the online services with registration or De-Mail.
 

• Objection. 
  • You can find detailed information in the decision on your pension application.
• Appeal before the social court. 
  • You can find detailed information in the notice of appeal.

If possible, you should submit your application three months before the desired start date of your pension.

Processing usually takes up to 3 months.

• Pension application for long-term insured persons
• Personal document (such as identity card, passport, birth certificate, or family register)

There are no costs involved.

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance required: No
 

Online services available: Yes