Question 1

When can I retire in Germany?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your year of birth and your insurance years. You retire without a deduction at the statutory age: 67 for those born in 1964 or later, between 66 years 2 months and 66 years 10 months for those born 1959 to 1963. With 35 insurance years a pension from 63 with a deduction is possible, with 45 years from 65 without a deduction (born 1964 or later). The pension starts on the 1st of the month after your birthday.

Question 2

Does the pension at 63 still exist?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but usually only with a deduction. With 35 insurance years you can still retire from 63, with a 14.4% deduction if born in 1964 or later. The deduction-free pension after 45 years was available at 63 only to those born up to 1952. For those born in 1964 or later the limit is 65. In 2026 the pension commission proposed raising the earliest age to 64. That has not been decided.

Question 3

How big is the deduction for retiring early?

Accepted Answer

0.3% for every month before the deduction-free age (§ 77 SGB VI), i.e. 3.6% per year. For the pension for long-term insured persons from 63, this is at most 48 months and 14.4% for those born in 1964 or later. For the pension for severely disabled persons, at most 36 months and 10.8%. The deduction applies for life. With a €1,500 pension, a 14.4% deduction costs €216 a month.

Question 4

When can I get the pension without deductions after 45 years?

Accepted Answer

At 63 for those born before 1953; after that the limit rises by 2 months per year of birth: 64 years 4 months for 1960, 64 years 10 months for 1963 and 65 for 1964 and later (§ 236b and § 38 SGB VI). This pension cannot be brought forward. If you have 45 years and want to go earlier, you must take the pension for long-term insured persons, with the full deduction up to the statutory age.

Question 5

When exactly does my pension start?

Accepted Answer

On the 1st of the month after you reach the age limit (§ 99 SGB VI). Example: born 15 March 1964, turns 67 on 15 March 2031, pension starts 1 April 2031. Special case: if you were born on the 1st of a month, you legally complete the year on the last day of the previous month. Born 1 April 1964 therefore means a pension start on 1 April 2031, one month earlier than if born on 2 April.

Question 6

When can severely disabled people retire?

Accepted Answer

With a degree of disability of at least 50 at the pension start and 35 insurance years, those born in 1964 or later can retire at 65 without a deduction or from 62 with up to 10.8% deduction (§ 37 SGB VI). For those born 1952 to 1963 the limits rise gradually, e.g. for 1960: 64 years 4 months without deduction or from 61 years 4 months with deduction (§ 236a SGB VI).

Question 7

Can I earn without limit alongside an early pension?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Since 1 January 2023 there is no earnings limit for old-age pensions, even before the statutory age. So you can draw the pension with a deduction at 63 and still keep working full time. Contributions from your wages raise your pension later. Note: limits still apply to disability pensions.

Question 8

Is it worth retiring later?

Accepted Answer

For every month you defer your pension past the statutory age, it rises by 0.5%, i.e. 6% a year, permanently. On top come the earnings points from continued work. Since 2026, wages up to €2,000 a month are also tax-free if you keep working past the statutory age (active pension). Whether it pays off mainly depends on your life expectancy.

Guide: Retirement Age Calculator

Pension at 63 and Retirement Age in Germany: When You Can Really Retire

Pension Without Deductions After 45 Years: What Counts and What Doesn't

Retirement Age Table: When Each Birth Year Can Retire in Germany

Offsetting Pension Deductions: How to Buy Out the Early Pension Penalty

Pension With Severe Disability: Retire Up to 5 Years Earlier

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