0 €, 0 €, 0 €, Ca. 8% der Rente, 0 €, 0 €, 0 €, 0 €, 0 €, 0 €

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Lücken im Rentenkonto können zu weniger Rente führen. Prüfe frühzeitig!

Applying for pension in Cologne – Fristen & Checkliste

Step 1

Check pension account

Check your pension account for completeness. Missing periods (training, child-rearing, unemployment) can reduce your pension!

⚠️Gaps in your pension account can lead to less pension. Check early!

⏰ 3-6 months before retirement💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

ID card(Required)

Valid ID – for identity verification at consultation

Pension insurance number(Required)

12-digit number – on social security card or annual pension information

Proof for missing periods(Optional)

e.g. training certificates, children's birth certificates, unemployment certificates

💡 Tips

Account clarification possible online via DRV eService
Child-rearing periods are credited
Periods abroad can also count
Pension information comes annually from age 27

Check pension account online↗

Step 2

Schedule consultation

Get free advice from the German Pension Insurance. The experts will calculate when and how much pension you can expect.

⚠️Appointments are often booked weeks in advance. Plan early!

⏰ 6-12 months before planned retirement💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

ID card(Required)

Valid ID – for identity verification at consultation

Pension information(Optional)

Annual letter from DRV – comes automatically from age 27 with 5 contribution years

Insurance history(Optional)

Available online via DRV eService – shows all reported contribution periods

💡 Tips

DRV Service Center Cologne: Lungengasse 35, 50676 Cologne
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 7:30am-3pm, Thu 7:30am-6pm, Fri 7:30am-1pm
Free hotline: 0800 1000 4800 (Mon-Thu 8am-7pm, Fri 8am-3:30pm)
Online appointments often available faster, video consultation also possible

Book consultation online↗

Step 3

Apply for pension

🚨

Frist: 3 months before retirement · Apply too late = pension starts later! Retroactively max. 3 months.

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.

📄 Required Documents

ID card(Required)

Valid ID – for identity verification when applying

Pension insurance number(Required)

12-digit number – on social security card or pension information

Bank details (IBAN)(Required)

IBAN of your current account – for monthly pension payment

Tax ID(Required)

11-digit number – on tax notice or available from BZSt

Health insurance proof(Required)

Health insurance card or certificate from your health insurer

💡 Tips

Online application is fastest
Standard retirement age: 67 years (for those born 1964+)
With 45 contribution years: 2 years earlier without deductions
Early retirement possible from 63 (with deductions)

Apply for pension online↗

Step 4

Clarify health insurance

As a retiree, you usually stay in statutory health insurance (KVdR). Contributions are deducted directly from your pension.

⚠️Privately insured: Check if switch to statutory insurance is possible – private insurance gets more expensive with age!

⏰ Before retirement💰 Ca. 8% der Rente

📄 Required Documents

Pension decision(Required)

Comes from DRV after approval – shows pension amount and start date

Health insurance card(Required)

From your health insurer – for registration in KVdR

💡 Tips

KVdR: Contribution approx. 8% of gross pension
Plus nursing care insurance approx. 3-4%
With multiple pensions: contributions from all
Voluntarily insured: apply for KVdR

Contact health insurance↗

Step 5

Inform employer

Inform your employer in good time about your retirement date. Observe the notice periods in your employment contract!

⚠️Observe notice periods! Up to 7 months depending on length of service.

⏰ According to employment contract💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Employment contract(Required)

Your employment contract – contains notice periods and retirement regulations

Pension decision(Optional)

If already available – as proof for the employer

💡 Tips

Written resignation required
Don't forget company pension/direct insurance
Use up remaining vacation or have it paid out
Request employment reference

Check notice periods↗

Step 6

Taxes in retirement

Pensions are also taxable! The taxable portion depends on the year of retirement.

⚠️Retirees may need to file tax returns. Observe tax allowances!

⏰ Annually by July 31💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Pension decision(Required)

From DRV – shows gross pension for tax return

Income tax certificate(Optional)

If still employed – from employer at year end

💡 Tips

Retirement start 2024: 83% of pension taxable
From 2040: 100% taxable
Basic allowance 2024: €11,604 (single)
ELSTER: free online tax return

ELSTER tax return↗

Step 7

Claim child-raising periods

Child-raising periods increase your statutory pension. For children before 1992: up to 2.5 years. For children from 1992: 3 years per child.

⚠️Without an application, you will miss important pension points – this can amount to several hundred euros per year.

⏰ Possible at any time💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Birth certificate(s) of children(Required)

From registry office of birthplace – approx. €12 per certificate

ID card(Required)

Valid ID – for identity verification when applying

💡 Tips

Also possible retroactively
Especially important for mothers
Apply at the German Pension Insurance
Forms available online at deutsche-rentenversicherung.de

Check child-raising periods↗

Step 8

Claim care periods

If you care for relatives, care periods can increase your pension. Requirement: at least 10 hours/week on 2 days, care level 2-5.

⚠️Without registration, care periods are not automatically considered.

⏰ Possible at any time💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Proof of care level(Required)

Decision from care insurance about care level of the person being cared for

ID card(Required)

Valid ID – for identity verification when applying

💡 Tips

Care levels 2–5 are relevant
Pension contributions are paid by the care insurance
Apply at the German Pension Insurance
Non-professional care also counts

Check care periods↗

Step 9

Check mini-job and pension

Even with a mini-job, you accumulate pension entitlements. Own contribution: 3.6% of earnings. An exemption saves money short-term but reduces pension.

⚠️An exemption from pension insurance can permanently reduce your future pension.

⏰ Possible at any time💰 0 €

💡 Tips

Subject to pension insurance by default
Exemption must be actively requested
Especially relevant for long mini-job periods
Own contribution: 3.6% of earnings

Mini-job center↗

Step 10

Unemployment and pension

Periods with ALG I count towards pension (contributions are paid). Citizen's benefit does not increase pension, but may be relevant for waiting periods.

⚠️Longer periods without pension contributions can significantly reduce your future pension.

⏰ Possible at any time💰 0 €

💡 Tips

ALG I counts as contribution period
Citizen's benefit only relevant for waiting periods
Have pension account clarified regularly
Request account clarification from DRV

Check pension periods↗

Retirement & Pension in Cologne

Check pension account

📄 Required Documents

Schedule consultation

📄 Required Documents

Apply for pension

📄 Required Documents

Clarify health insurance

📄 Required Documents

Inform employer

📄 Required Documents

Taxes in retirement

📄 Required Documents

Claim child-raising periods

📄 Required Documents

Claim care periods

📄 Required Documents

Check mini-job and pension

Unemployment and pension

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🔗 Related Topics