Can expats and foreigners receive a German pension?

Yes. If you have at least 5 years of contributions (qualifying periods) in the German statutory pension insurance, you are generally entitled to a German pension, even if you live abroad. EU rules and social security agreements may allow you to combine insurance periods from different countries.

What is the minimum contribution period for a German pension?

For a standard old-age pension, you usually need at least 5 years of qualifying periods (Wartezeit). Other pension types, such as disability pensions or long-term insured pensions, have different minimum periods and conditions.

Does this calculator give an official pension forecast?

No. This tool provides an educational estimate based on simplified assumptions and the current pension value. For an official forecast, you should request a Renteninformation from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or speak to a licensed advisor.

German Pension (Rente) Calculator

Estimate your future German state pension (gesetzliche Rente) using earnings points, contribution years, and retirement age. Designed for employees, self-employed and expats.

German Pension Estimator

Current age

Planned retirement age

Standard retirement age in Germany is gradually increasing to 67.

Years already contributed to German pension

Average income vs. German average

100%

100% = earning exactly the average income each year (≈ 1 earnings point per year).

Expected future income vs. German average

110%

Used for remaining working years until retirement.

Current pension value (aktueller Rentenwert)

€

Approximate monthly amount per earnings point (West Germany, 2024–2025; adjust as needed).

Pension type

Access factor (Zugangsfaktor)

1.00 = no reduction. Early retirement usually reduces this factor; later retirement can increase it.

Estimated Pension (Gross, Today’s Euros)

Based on your inputs and simplified assumptions. This is not an official forecast.

Estimated monthly pension

€0

Estimated annual pension

€0

Total earnings points

0.00

Points from past years: 0.00

Points from future years: 0.00

Remaining working years (approx.): 0

This tool uses the official earnings-point formula in a simplified way. For an official forecast, request a Renteninformation from Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

How the German pension (Rente) is calculated

The German statutory pension insurance (gesetzliche Rentenversicherung) is a pay-as-you-go system. Your future pension is mainly based on earnings points (Entgeltpunkte) that you collect over your working life.

Core formula (simplified)

\[ \text{Monthly pension} = \text{Earnings points} \times \text{Current pension value} \times \text{Pension type factor} \times \text{Access factor} \]

Earnings points (EP): Sum of all points you earned each year.
Current pension value: Monthly euro amount per point (e.g. around €37–€39).
Pension type factor: 1.0 for standard old-age pension, lower for survivor or disability pensions.
Access factor: Adjusts for early or late retirement (1.0 = no reduction).

What is an earnings point (Entgeltpunkt)?

Every calendar year, your income is compared to the average insured income in Germany:

If you earn exactly the average income → you get 1.0 point for that year.
If you earn 50% of the average → you get 0.5 points.
If you earn 150% of the average → you get 1.5 points (up to a legal maximum).

The calculator approximates this by asking for your income as a percentage of the German average. It then multiplies that percentage by your contribution years to estimate your total points.

Step-by-step: how this calculator works

Past contributions: We take your years already contributed and your past average income level vs. the German average to estimate past earnings points.
Future contributions: We estimate remaining working years as retirement age − current age and multiply by your expected future income level.
Total earnings points: Past + future points.
Pension formula: We apply the current pension value, pension type factor and access factor to estimate your gross monthly pension in today’s euros.

Example: typical German employee

Consider a simplified example:

Current age: 40
Planned retirement age: 67
Years already contributed: 15
Past income: 90% of German average
Future income: 110% of German average
Current pension value: €37.60
Pension type factor: 1.0 (standard old-age)
Access factor: 1.0 (no early retirement reduction)

Then:

1. Past earnings points

\[ EP_{\text{past}} = 15 \text{ years} \times 0.90 = 13.5 \]

2. Remaining working years

\[ 67 - 40 = 27 \text{ years} \]

3. Future earnings points

\[ EP_{\text{future}} = 27 \times 1.10 = 29.7 \]

4. Total earnings points

\[ EP_{\text{total}} = 13.5 + 29.7 = 43.2 \]

5. Monthly pension

\[ \text{Pension} = 43.2 \times 37.60 \times 1.0 \times 1.0 \approx €1{,}625 \text{ per month} \]

This is a rough, educational estimate. The real system is more complex and includes contribution ceilings, different pension values for East/West, child-raising periods, unemployment periods, and legal changes over time.

Important notes for expats and cross-border workers

Minimum qualifying period: You usually need at least 5 years of contributions (Wartezeit) for a standard old-age pension.
EU coordination: If you worked in several EU/EEA countries, your insurance periods can often be added together for eligibility.
Living abroad: In many cases, German pensions can be paid abroad. Taxation and health insurance contributions may differ.
Voluntary contributions: Some people can pay voluntary contributions to close gaps in their insurance record.

Limitations and disclaimers

This calculator is designed for education and planning, not for legal or financial advice. It does not model:

Future changes in the pension value or legislation.
Contribution ceilings and special rules for high earners.
Child-raising periods, care periods, unemployment, or other credited times.
Taxation, health insurance, or long-term care insurance deductions.

For an official forecast, request your Renteninformation or Rentenverlauf from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or consult a licensed advisor (Rentenberater).

German pension (Rente) – FAQ

How is the German state pension (gesetzliche Rente) calculated?

The state pension is based on earnings points. Each year, your income is compared to the national average. The sum of all points is multiplied by the current pension value, the pension type factor and the access factor. The calculator on this page implements this core formula in a simplified way.

What is the current pension value (aktueller Rentenwert)?

The current pension value is the monthly euro amount you receive for one earnings point. It is adjusted regularly by law and differs slightly between West and East Germany. You can overwrite the default value in the calculator with the latest official figure.

Can foreigners and expats receive a German pension?

Yes. If you have enough qualifying periods in the German system, you can usually receive a pension even if you live abroad. EU rules and bilateral social security agreements may allow you to combine insurance periods from different countries. Payment conditions and taxation depend on your country of residence.

What happens if I retire earlier than the standard age?

Early retirement usually leads to a permanent reduction of your pension via the access factor (for example, a reduction of 0.3% per month of early retirement, up to a legal maximum). You can model this by lowering the access factor (e.g. 0.88 instead of 1.00) in the calculator.

Is this calculator suitable for disability or survivor pensions?

It provides a rough orientation only. Disability and survivor pensions use similar earnings-point logic but have additional rules (e.g. projected insurance periods). The pension type factor options in the calculator (0.4, 0.5, 0.55, 0.8) are approximate and not a substitute for an official calculation.