Claiming German pension benefits early

Hi all,
After retiring from the forces, I worked in germany for a number of years, then left and returned to the UK.Anyone have any information on whether i can claim my contributory pension early or whether i will have to wait until the age of 65

You can but there are certain stipulations and you are not allowed to have been in Germany for no more than 5 years.You can calim a lump sum back but you do lose out on hell of a lot of it.