Use this topic page when leaving Germany and pension timing are still tangled together.

If your German address still needs to be deregistered, that step is usually handled first through the partner path. Once that is clear, the case can continue into the Fundsback refund flow when relevant.

In almost every case, yes. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung only refunds contributions once 24 full calendar months have passed since your last compulsory pension contribution (§ 210(2) SGB VI), and you cannot shorten that period. It starts with your last insured month in Germany, such as your last payslip or your last month on unemployment benefit (ALG I); leaving the country or deregistering doesn't move the start. If you become compulsorily insured in Germany again during that time, the clock starts over. Have Fundsback check your case when you leave anyway. You'll know your earliest date, everything is ready, and the claim goes out as soon as the wait is over.