Reading your German pension statement (Rentenauskunft) is a useful skill for new graduates. The documents from the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung, DRV) show which periods are already stored, how your pension could develop and where gaps appear. This guide explains what to look for.
Short answer: Under section 109 SGB VI, you receive the pension information (Renteninformation) every year from the age of 27. It shows stored periods, a forecast of your standard pension and your benefit in case of full occupational incapacity. Check periods, contributions and employers, because errors happen and the DRV can correct them. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The pension information arrives every year from age 27. After age 55, a pension statement replaces it every three years.
- Both documents are subject to the condition that the stored periods are correct (section 109 subsection 2 SGB VI).
- Your pension depends on your earning points (Entgeltpunkte), which reflect the contributions you pay over your working life.
- Typical errors are missing training or study periods, mini-job periods that do not match, and wrongly assigned employers.
- For people born in 1964 or later, the standard retirement age is 67 (section 35 SGB VI).
- You can close gaps with voluntary contributions if the conditions are met. See the guide on voluntary pension contributions for study periods.
What does the pension information show?
The law sets out what the pension information must contain. Under section 109 subsection 3 SGB VI, it includes the calculation basis, the benefit in case of full occupational incapacity, a forecast of the standard pension, the effect of future pension adjustments and an overview of the contributions paid. The pension statement under subsection 4 goes further and includes your insurance periods and earning points.
| Area | What you check | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance periods | Do the start and end of school, training, studies and jobs match? | Mark gaps and double counting |
| Contributions | Do the contribution periods match your payslips? | Note months that look too low |
| Earning points | How many points have you collected so far? | Compare with your working years |
| Forecast | What would your pension be at retirement based on current periods? | Treat it as a guide only |
| Incapacity benefit | What would be paid in case of full occupational incapacity? | A useful complement to your own protection |
How do I roughly calculate my pension?
In simple terms, the pension equals your earning points multiplied by the current pension value (aktueller Rentenwert). The pension value changes regularly, which is why the pension information shows a forecast and not a fixed figure.
Worked example. Assumption: you have collected 30 earning points and the pension value were 40 euros. That makes 30 x 40 euros, which is 1,200 euros gross per month. The figures only illustrate the calculation and are not the current pension value. The DRV works with the official values.
Which gaps are typical for new graduates?
Gaps often appear in the years between school, university and the first permanent job. The table shows common causes and the next step.
| Gap | Typical cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Missing training or study periods | Evidence not submitted or period recorded incorrectly | Send evidence to the DRV and ask for a correction |
| Mini-job without a matching contribution period | Exemption or obligation assigned incorrectly | Check payslips and clarify with the employer |
| Periods abroad | No German statutory pension insurance during that time | Check whether voluntary contributions make sense |
| Earnings assigned to the wrong period or employer | Employer or dates transmitted incorrectly | Collect payslips and request a correction |
If you find a gap from your university years, take a look at the guide Paying Voluntary Pension Contributions for Study Periods in Germany. The deadline for a voluntary payment is strict and should be checked early.
When do I receive which statement?
From age 27, you receive a pension information every year, in writing or electronically (section 109 subsection 1 sentence 1 SGB VI). After age 55, a pension statement replaces the annual information every three years. Younger insured people can request a statement if they have a legitimate interest (section 109 subsection 1 sentence 3 SGB VI). Both documents report the status of your account, not a guaranteed pension.
For new graduates, reduced earning capacity is also relevant. The pension information shows what benefit would be expected in case of full occupational incapacity. The guide on investing as a student covers the basics of building your own savings, which is a separate topic.
What the statement does not show
The pension information is a snapshot with a forecast. It does not take into account your future salaries or decisions you have not yet made, such as becoming self-employed or taking time off for child-rearing periods. Private provision does not appear there either. If you want a full picture, combine the statutory information with your own documents such as contracts, bank statements and evidence of training and studies.
How often should I check?
An annual check is enough in most cases. After a job change, a stay abroad or a change of course, a check makes sense straight away. When you receive new documents, compare them with your last statement. Note any irregularities with the date, so you can ask the DRV precisely.
Why every gap costs money
Your pension grows with every year in which contributions are credited to your account. Someone who pays in for a year with average earnings collects roughly one earning point. If that year is missing, the point is missing from your pension calculation as well, and the effect is lasting. That is why it is worth closing gaps early, while deadlines and payment options are still open.
Worked example. Assumption: two years are missing from your record, which corresponds to roughly 2 earning points. With a pension value of 40 euros (for illustration only), that is 2 x 40 euros, or 80 euros less pension per month. Whether this figure applies to you is checked by the DRV against your account.
Frequently asked questions
Should I keep my pension information?
Yes, it is worth keeping these documents, because you can compare them with later statements. They show how your entries develop over the years and whether new periods are recorded correctly.
Is the forecast binding?
No. The pension information is subject to future changes in the law and to the accuracy of the stored periods (section 109 subsection 2 SGB VI). The forecast depends on assumptions about salaries and pension adjustments. Treat it as a guide.
What if periods are missing?
Send the evidence to the DRV and ask for a review. Useful documents include employment contracts, payslips and enrolment certificates. The DRV then checks your account and adjusts it where necessary.
Can I get the statement online?
The pension information can be provided in writing or electronically (section 109 subsection 1 sentence 1 SGB VI). The DRV explains the available channels in its answers on the pension information.
When does the standard retirement age of 67 apply?
For people born in 1964 or later, the standard retirement age is 67 (section 35 SGB VI). Older cohorts have a lower age limit. Your pension information states the limit that applies to you.
What you should do now
- Get your first pension information or pension statement ready and mark all periods.
- Compare school, training, study and work periods with your documents.
- Note gaps and errors and sort them by importance.
- Send evidence to the DRV or request a correction.
- Repeat the check every year so that you notice changes early.
Related reading
- Paying Voluntary Pension Contributions for Study Periods in Germany
- Pension Insurance for Students in Germany: Rules
- Student Job 20-Hour Rule, Pension and Semester Breaks
- Investing as a Student: First Steps for Beginners
Sources: Social Code Book VI, section 109 pension information and pension statement (retrieved October 2026, German) · Social Code Book VI, section 35 standard pension (retrieved October 2026, German) · German Pension Insurance: questions and answers on the pension information (German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
