Pension refund for Indians
If you’re in Germany for term (less than 5 years) and wondering how to get pension contributions back, then this information might be useful to you.
Eligibility of refund
- You are yet to qualify for retirement pension. You become eligible after making 60 contributions.
- You’re last contributions was 24 months before
- You’re not staying in EU
You can read here in more details about the Social Security Agreement between Germany and India
How much refund one can get?
You will get back the you’re part of the contributions you made as an employee. You’re contribution can be found in Lohnsteuerbescheinigung für <Year> document. Roughly it can be calculated by following formula
1
Refund = Avg gross monthly salary * number of months worked * 9.3/100
Keep int mind that this is just rough formula. Other factors can affect such as caps on contributions for high salaries etc.
How to apply for German tax refund?
- Download and fill in the right forms available on the Application for reimbursement of contributions when staying abroad (Antrag auf Beitragserstattung bei Aufenthalt im Ausland)
- Include copies of required document (mentioned in the form and based on you’re case).
- Send it to german pension office connected to the city you lived either via post with tracking number or via de-email or via email.
Latest information can be found here
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