UK State Pension
#1
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2
From: German / Dutch border

Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer the accredited years from working in the UK to the German pension scheme?
I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.
I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.

#2
Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer the accredited years from working in the UK to the German pension scheme?
I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.

I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.


#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace










Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,740
From: bute











Pensions Section at NI in Newcastle have an International Department that hamndles inquiries like this one.
#4
'Vorruhestand' Some years ago I asked and found out from the English
and German pension departments. Keep your National Insurance info.
The German department will take it from there, one doesnt have to go
backwards and forward, asking first for the British pension, then seperately
the German pension scheme.
As the above quote indicates further information can be acquired from
the next and nearest International department, which if necessary your local
Office can support you.
#5
Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer the accredited years from working in the UK to the German pension scheme?
I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.

I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.


#7
Forum Regular


Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 95
From: Germany

I paid the 'C' class for myself and also boosted the Wife's. Had I known apparently I could have boosted the German pension. Now I only get 18 years worth.
#8
Forum Regular



Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 168

Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer the accredited years from working in the UK to the German pension scheme?
I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.

I worked up until 1991 in the UK and emigrated here to Germany, and started contributing to the german national pension. I will be retiring in 2020 and at present will only get small part pensions from both countries.


#9
Forum Regular


Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 71
From: NE Ohio











I have been here afew years now.I have took early retirement .
'Vorruhestand' Some years ago I asked and found out from the English
and German pension departments. Keep your National Insurance info.
The German department will take it from there, one doesnt have to go
backwards and forward, asking first for the British pension, then seperately
the German pension scheme.
As the above quote indicates further information can be acquired from
the next and nearest International department, which if necessary your local
Office can support you.
'Vorruhestand' Some years ago I asked and found out from the English
and German pension departments. Keep your National Insurance info.
The German department will take it from there, one doesnt have to go
backwards and forward, asking first for the British pension, then seperately
the German pension scheme.
As the above quote indicates further information can be acquired from
the next and nearest International department, which if necessary your local
Office can support you.
I divorced in Germany so our pension ions were matched in court and I received a statement of what I should receive in 2022 or so.
Until I read this thread I assumed I would receive everything separately, as we are still unsure where we will retire....
You mentioned you took early retirement in Germany , I'm assuming this was not directly your choice?
As in the US you can retire / receive social security ( simply put,which is the US equivalent of sorts to a government pension) starting at age 62 or leave it in the system until age 70 and take max payouts.
Many thx in advance
#10
Many thx for all the info. I have now been in the USA 12 yrs paying into the social Security ( or what's left of it) previously I paid into the German state pension for 16 years and the UK for 15, as mentioned I also added to this to obtain the max pay out.
I divorced in Germany so our pension ions were matched in court and I received a statement of what I should receive in 2022 or so.
Until I read this thread I assumed I would receive everything separately, as we are still unsure where we will retire....
You mentioned you took early retirement in Germany , I'm assuming this was not directly your choice?
As in the US you can retire / receive social security ( simply put,which is the US equivalent of sorts to a government pension) starting at age 62 or leave it in the system until age 70 and take max payouts.
Many thx in advance
I divorced in Germany so our pension ions were matched in court and I received a statement of what I should receive in 2022 or so.
Until I read this thread I assumed I would receive everything separately, as we are still unsure where we will retire....
You mentioned you took early retirement in Germany , I'm assuming this was not directly your choice?
As in the US you can retire / receive social security ( simply put,which is the US equivalent of sorts to a government pension) starting at age 62 or leave it in the system until age 70 and take max payouts.
Many thx in advance
plus the normal further payment of the state pension, and towards the Company's private plan, and obviously ' krankenkasse' The unemployment payments obviously not necessary.
At first my boss prefered that I'd stay, then after some HR contention he actually helped me.
I also went to the 'Rentenversicherung' (NI equivilant), for clarification.
In Germany they send information at least every 2 years, what one would receive
if one would retire immediately, and what one is estimated to become at retirement age.The same for the Company's co-supported private scheme.
They told me I could pay and top up, and what the extra payments would be including those from UK.
I considered it no longer worth it and I stuck to the present payments.
The amount I would/could/ have to top up against what I would receive, at Pensionable age, ( another 6 years) would not be worth it.
IMO Top ups maybe worth it for the under 55s.More importantly Brit expats, should
Do 3. things 1. keep in touch with UK NI offices snd keep hold your NI Nr.
2.keep hold of all your information over social + pension payments from other worked countries. And 3. Inform youself by going/ on internet, to your present country's
Government offices for social/pension rules and payment scheme present and future.
#11
Forum Regular


Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 71
From: NE Ohio











No I could of stayed on so it was my choice.My company had a program offering x%,
plus the normal further payment of the state pension, and towards the Company's private plan, and obviously ' krankenkasse' The unemployment payments obviously not necessary.
At first my boss prefered that I'd stay, then after some HR contention he actually helped me.
I also went to the 'Rentenversicherung' (NI equivilant), for clarification.
In Germany they send information at least every 2 years, what one would receive
if one would retire immediately, and what one is estimated to become at retirement age.The same for the Company's co-supported private scheme.
They told me I could pay and top up, and what the extra payments would be including those from UK.
I considered it no longer worth it and I stuck to the present payments.
The amount I would/could/ have to top up against what I would receive, at Pensionable age, ( another 6 years) would not be worth it.
IMO Top ups maybe worth it for the under 55s.More importantly Brit expats, should
Do 3. things 1. keep in touch with UK NI offices snd keep hold your NI Nr.
2.keep hold of all your information over social + pension payments from other worked countries. And 3. Inform youself by going/ on internet, to your present country's
Government offices for social/pension rules and payment scheme present and future.
plus the normal further payment of the state pension, and towards the Company's private plan, and obviously ' krankenkasse' The unemployment payments obviously not necessary.
At first my boss prefered that I'd stay, then after some HR contention he actually helped me.
I also went to the 'Rentenversicherung' (NI equivilant), for clarification.
In Germany they send information at least every 2 years, what one would receive
if one would retire immediately, and what one is estimated to become at retirement age.The same for the Company's co-supported private scheme.
They told me I could pay and top up, and what the extra payments would be including those from UK.
I considered it no longer worth it and I stuck to the present payments.
The amount I would/could/ have to top up against what I would receive, at Pensionable age, ( another 6 years) would not be worth it.
IMO Top ups maybe worth it for the under 55s.More importantly Brit expats, should
Do 3. things 1. keep in touch with UK NI offices snd keep hold your NI Nr.
2.keep hold of all your information over social + pension payments from other worked countries. And 3. Inform youself by going/ on internet, to your present country's
Government offices for social/pension rules and payment scheme present and future.
Many thx.
#12
Forum Regular


Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 71
From: NE Ohio











No I could of stayed on so it was my choice.My company had a program offering x%,
plus the normal further payment of the state pension, and towards the Company's private plan, and obviously ' krankenkasse' The unemployment payments obviously not necessary.
At first my boss prefered that I'd stay, then after some HR contention he actually helped me.
I also went to the 'Rentenversicherung' (NI equivilant), for clarification.
In Germany they send information at least every 2 years, what one would receive
if one would retire immediately, and what one is estimated to become at retirement age.The same for the Company's co-supported private scheme.
They told me I could pay and top up, and what the extra payments would be including those from UK.
I considered it no longer worth it and I stuck to the present payments.
The amount I would/could/ have to top up against what I would receive, at Pensionable age, ( another 6 years) would not be worth it.
IMO Top ups maybe worth it for the under 55s.More importantly Brit expats, should
Do 3. things 1. keep in touch with UK NI offices snd keep hold your NI Nr.
2.keep hold of all your information over social + pension payments from other worked countries. And 3. Inform youself by going/ on internet, to your present country's
Government offices for social/pension rules and payment scheme present and future.
plus the normal further payment of the state pension, and towards the Company's private plan, and obviously ' krankenkasse' The unemployment payments obviously not necessary.
At first my boss prefered that I'd stay, then after some HR contention he actually helped me.
I also went to the 'Rentenversicherung' (NI equivilant), for clarification.
In Germany they send information at least every 2 years, what one would receive
if one would retire immediately, and what one is estimated to become at retirement age.The same for the Company's co-supported private scheme.
They told me I could pay and top up, and what the extra payments would be including those from UK.
I considered it no longer worth it and I stuck to the present payments.
The amount I would/could/ have to top up against what I would receive, at Pensionable age, ( another 6 years) would not be worth it.
IMO Top ups maybe worth it for the under 55s.More importantly Brit expats, should
Do 3. things 1. keep in touch with UK NI offices snd keep hold your NI Nr.
2.keep hold of all your information over social + pension payments from other worked countries. And 3. Inform youself by going/ on internet, to your present country's
Government offices for social/pension rules and payment scheme present and future.
As it cannot be totally ruled out that I may work in the UK and or Germany b4 I hang up my spurs in the next few years.
#13
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2

One warning to those in receipt of the UK state pension in Germany: you are required to inform your Krankenkasse about this income as soon as you get it, so that they can recalculate (i.e. increase) your monthly contributions. I didn't do this and have been hit by a hefty bill demanding payment of arrears.
#14
One warning to those in receipt of the UK state pension in Germany: you are required to inform your Krankenkasse about this income as soon as you get it, so that they can recalculate (i.e. increase) your monthly contributions. I didn't do this and have been hit by a hefty bill demanding payment of arrears. 

#15
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2

Sadly the system is not as integrated as I had expected - the German pensions people don't inform the Krankenkasse automatically.



