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Check your pension account for completeness. Missing periods (training, child-rearing, unemployment) can reduce your pension!
Get free advice from the German Pension Insurance. Berlin has several service centers of DRV Berlin-Brandenburg.
You should submit your pension application about 3 months before your desired retirement date. This can be done online, at the citizens' office, or at the DRV.
As a retiree, you usually stay in statutory health insurance (KVdR). Contributions are deducted directly from your pension.
Inform your employer in good time about your retirement date. Observe the notice periods in your employment contract!
Pensions are also taxable! The taxable portion depends on the year of retirement.
Child-raising periods increase your statutory pension. For children born before 1992, up to 2.5 years are credited. For children born from 1992 onwards, 3 years per child are credited. The credit is only granted upon application to the German Pension Insurance.
If you care for relatives (e.g. parents or partner), care periods can increase your statutory pension. The requirement is that care is provided for at least 10 hours per week on at least two days and the person requiring care has a recognized care level.
Even with a mini-job, you accumulate pension entitlements. If you are not exempt from pension insurance, mini-job periods count fully towards your future pension. An exemption saves money in the short term but reduces your pension.
Periods with unemployment benefit I count towards your pension, as contributions continue to be paid. Periods with citizen's benefit (formerly ALG II) do not increase your pension, but may be relevant for waiting periods.