Why pay voluntary pension contributions in Germany?

In Germany, the statutory pension insurance is an essential pillar of old-age provision. However, not all citizens are automatically covered by compulsory insurance. The self-employed, freelancers, and low-income employees, in particular, often fall outside the scope of compulsory insurance.

However, they have the option of paying voluntary pension contributions in Germany to create a stable financial basis for old age. Likewise, people who have gaps in their pension insurance history can compensate for these deficits by making voluntary payments and thus secure higher pension entitlements.

But why does it make sense to pay into the pension insurance scheme voluntarily in the first place?

In the following, we will highlight the advantages and reasons that speak in favor of making voluntary payments into the statutory pension insurance scheme.

Are voluntary pension contributions worth it?

In short: Voluntary contributions to the pension scheme offer an excellent opportunity to increase pension entitlements in a targeted manner.

German state pensions are a reliable source of income for millions of retired people. Its purpose is to ensure that, after a lifetime of hard work, there is a financial cushion to maintain the standard of living in old age. However, those who have only paid into a pension plan for a short period of time, or who have been uninsured for a long period of time due to various circumstances, often face a significant reduction in their monthly pension. This income shortfall can significantly limit financial freedom in retirement.

Additional voluntary contributions to pension insurance offer an opportunity to proactively close such pension gaps. Every additional payment increases the pension entitlement and thus improves financial security in old age. This not only allows for a carefree retirement, but also provides the security of financial independence and self-determination in old age.

Increasing pension entitlements

One of the basic principles of the pension system in Germany is that the amount of the pension reflects the sum of the contributions made during a person’s working life. In other words, the more and more regularly you pay into the system, the more generous your pension will be. This is particularly promising for those who pay the maximum contributions over a long period of time.

If you want to learn more about the German pension system and the amount of your potential German pension, we recommend this blog post: State pensions & retirement age in Germany

Voluntary contributions increase your retirement benefits. The more you contribute, the greater the increase in your retirement benefits. For example, if you pay the minimum voluntary contribution of 96.72 euros for a full year, you will currently receive a monthly increase in your pension of approximately 5 euros; if you pay the maximum contribution of 1,357.80 euros, the increase will be approximately 76 euros.

The retirement pension will continue to be paid for the rest of your life, regardless of your age. In the event of your death, the pension can be paid to your survivors.

If you are interested, you should consult a tax advisor or other professional. They can provide detailed information on the extent to which and the conditions under which contributions can be deducted for tax purposes. It is worth including this aspect in your retirement planning considerations in order to realize the full potential of voluntary contributions.

Who can pay into the pension insurance scheme voluntarily?

in short: In Germany, individuals who are at least 16 years old, who are not yet receiving full retirement benefits, and who are not required to contribute to the statutory pension system may choose to voluntarily enroll in the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. This option is available to the self-employed, freelancers and non-working adults, such as housewives. People living abroad can also make voluntary contributions.

1. Self-employed and freelancers

A large group that is not automatically covered by the German state pension are the self-employed and freelancers. They often face the challenge of organizing their retirement independently. The good news is that they have the option of contributing to the public pension system on a voluntary basis. This gives them the opportunity to benefit from the security and predictability of the public pension system and to diversify their retirement savings.

2. Employees with low incomes

Employees who earn a low income and therefore do not exceed the minimum income threshold for compulsory insurance can also make voluntary contributions. In this way, they can actively increase their pension entitlements and thus build better financial security for their retirement.

3. People with gaps in their pension insurance history

Life does not always run in a straight line. Those who have gaps in their pension insurance history, for example, due to raising children, training, studying or longer stays abroad, are faced with the possibility of closing these gaps by making voluntary contributions during these gaps. This is particularly valuable as it not only has a positive impact on the pension amount, but can also help meet certain eligibility requirements, such as for a reduced earning capacity pension.

To sum up, the possibility of making voluntary contributions to the German state pension scheme enables a wide range of people to individually design and optimize their retirement provision. It is always advisable to get information early and seek professional advice if needed.

Voluntary payment into the statutory pension insurance during a stay abroad

A stay abroad, whether for work, study or personal reasons, can lead to temporary non-payment into the German pension system. This can later lead to gaps in the pension insurance history and affect the amount of the pension.

In order to avoid such gaps, it is possible for persons insured in Germany to make voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance system even during a stay abroad.

This can be particularly useful for those who wish to continue to receive benefits under the statutory pension scheme after returning to Germany, or who wish to complete their qualifying periods for certain types of pension. If you are planning to go abroad or are already abroad, you should find out about the possibility of voluntary contributions and the associated benefits and weigh them up.

• Application: First, you submit an application to the German Pension Insurance (DRV). There are special forms for this, which you can usually find under the name “Antrag auf freiwillige Versicherung” or similar.
• Determination of the contribution: You have the possibility to determine the amount of your contribution yourself, whereby there are minimum and maximum amounts, which are adjusted annually.
• Payment procedure: After processing your application, the DRV will inform you about the exact payment details. You can then decide whether you want to transfer the contributions monthly or annually.
• Assessing the benefits: It is wise to assess in advance what the benefits of voluntary payment are for you. This is not only about increasing your future pension but also about closing insurance gaps or achieving certain pension rights.
• Consider tax aspects: Voluntary contributions to pension insurance can have tax implications. Therefore, it may be helpful to consider tax advice as well.

Voluntary insurance is usually initiated through an application process. This application may be made at an information and advice centre or through an insurance advisor/agent. You can find more information on the website of the Deutsche rentenversicherung.

Can voluntary contributions also be paid retroactively?

Voluntary contributions may also be paid retroactively for the previous year by March 31. If March 31 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the first following business day.

In addition, insured persons born before 1955 who have less than five years of contributions despite having childcare responsibilities may, at any time after reaching the normal retirement age, make retroactive payments for the missing contributions until they meet the general waiting period of five years.

When is the payment of voluntary contributions particularly useful?

In addition to increasing your eligibility for retirement benefits, voluntary contributions can help you satisfy waiting periods for retirement benefits and, in some cases, maintain existing retirement benefits. For example, if you have childcare responsibilities but have not accumulated five years of contributions, you may be able to qualify for a standard retirement benefit by making voluntary contributions. In addition, under certain circumstances, members may be able to secure disability coverage through voluntary contributions.

How many people use voluntary insurance in Germany?

Currently, approximately 210,000 individuals are voluntarily insured with the German Pension Insurance.