Transfering UK state pension to Germany

[scook17 281]

My wife and I have independently accumulated enough UK pension for the 30 years required to qualify for a full pension provided we make up a few years contributions. I've lived in Germany for the past 8 years as a IT freelancer and thus am not a member of the German state pension. I plan on living here now, rather than ever returning to the UK. Currently I'm 41. I read I could transfer my UK state pension rights here to Germany. Would that be worthwhile? My wife who is also here is in a similar case, but she is employed here so is a member of the german state pension. However her income is small (600 Euros per month) so I doubt she'd get much in terms of a pension here and I also don't know how many years you'd need to have to qualify. Is it worth either myself or her transferring our UK state pension here?

[YorkshireLad6 7,152]

You don't so much "transfer" it here, more take advantage of the contributions you made there (or other EU countries) when you come to retire. You need to contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung who will review your employment contributions (and contact the UK authorities) to determine your entitlement and provide you with a projected pension on retirement. You might be surprised about the potential entitlement of your wife as there are all sorts of contribution credits for periods she was in higher education, unemployment or making babies. (Same for you too, except the "making babies" bit)

[hooperski 29,431]

Just a bit puzzled when you say you've accumulated 30 years worth of contributions, when you're only 41.

Did your paper round pay into your pension scheme?.

[ballygobackwards 97]

I read last week that since 1 July 2011, pensions paid from outside Germany have to be declared to the receiver´s Krankenkasse and are liable to 8,2% deduction for Krankenversicherung plus 2,2% Pflegeversicherung. Does anyone have any info?

[janjan 742]

bally. Yes, this is true, and theres an automatic System of notification in place for a few countries, including Germany and the UK; so theres no way out of it.

[AncientBrit 1,934]

Not only must foreign pensions be declared but other sources of income such as interest on savings too, but such income won't be reported automatically to the Krankenkasse even though it will also receive the 8.2% treatment.

[AncientBrit 1,934]

 

You don't so much "transfer" it here, more take advantage of the contributions you made there (or other EU countries) when you come to retire. You need to contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung who will review your employment contributions (and contact the UK authorities) to determine your entitlement and provide you with a projected pension on retirement. You might be surprised about the potential entitlement of your wife as there are all sorts of contribution credits for periods she was in higher education, unemployment or making babies. (Same for you too, except the "making babies" bit)

 

True enough, but the UK state pension payments will be made separately from any German pensions into any UK or foreign bank account you name in GBP or another currency of your choice.

[Langenau lad 0]

Hi.

 

Can I ask if anyone has done this? I am about 50 and my situation is that I have almost 30 years of UK state pension contributions (and that is the most you can make) meaning that I will get the full UK state pension. (Which is not a lot I know, but I also have some company pensions in the UK). I now live in Germany and expect to be here for at least another 10 years, employed. We will prob go back to the UK after that (if Farage and the Little Englanders have not taken over totally!) So I seem to be in a good situation in that I cannot put anymore into the UK, but can now start to accrue some money in the German State pension?

 

Thats my reading of the situation, but what I also am not sure about is why I would transfer the UK part? The Rentenversicherung seem keen to do it for me (have been sent reminders), but cannot see the benefit (except perhaps a tax benefit on the payments when I do retire?).

 

Any advice gratefully received as I am really struggling to know whether to transfer the UK pension over here. Equally, does any one know a good financial adviser specialising in european pensions?

 

Thanks Toytowners - in advance.

[paulstep 167]

I had no choice!

The Rentenversicherung were very aggressive with this, I tried dragging my feet so that I could assess the options and they got really stroppy. They threatened me in the end - if you do not complete this activity and give us all your working history we will not give you a pension FULL STOP.

 

It worked out okay though, they say that I will receive a pension of 1600€ a month based on today's contributions.

[engelchen 13,040]

 

but what I also am not sure about is why I would transfer the UK part? The Rentenversicherung seem keen to do it for me (have been sent reminders), but cannot see the benefit (except perhaps a tax benefit on the payments when I do retire?).

 

Any advice gratefully received as I am really struggling to know whether to transfer the UK pension over here.

 

You'd not be transferring anything. You need to complete the Kontoklärung with the DRV so they can calculate your future German entitlement. It is generally easier for everyone if you to it now than wait till retirement.

[YorkshireLad6 7,152]

The DRV will calculate your entitlement including your UK contributions and can extrapolate (or more accurately "estimate") it to your retirement age, but this doesn't make sense if you don't plan to retire in Germany. As you are 50 now, plan on being here 10 years and then return to the UK, but won't retire until at least 65, then the UK will do the same thing prior to your retirement, this time taking your German contributions into account as well. The principal is that contributions in any EU country are accumulated and included in the file roll-up in the (EU) country of retirement.

[Langenau lad 0]

Ladies / Gents... Thanks for your help. I have found the germans I have met to generally be pretty helpful especially if you are polite and try to speak German... But I would be struggling without Toytown. Thank you!

[chris999 1,202]

....

 

 

 

[chris999 1,202]

Just been looking into my state pension in UK.

I have sent for statement but believe I have around 20 yeas of contributions ... (I have asked this question direct but I don't expect a quick reply!)

 

I don't work here (I'm a house husband/slave) therefore, apart from my entitlement to my wife (of 7 years) pension, I'm not likely to reach a full entitlement (and I'd rather, if possible, not have to rely on the mrs.).

 

 I did read that it may be possible to make voluntary contributions of around 2.50 per week to build up to 30 years.

 

Can anyone please confirm whether I may be able to do this or is it too complicated without knowing everything about me, including my inside leg measurement etc? (32")

 

Cheers