How does the pension work in Germany, and do my working years in Turkey count?

The system: Most employees pay contributions to the statutory pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung, DRV). Contributions are deducted automatically from your salary. The longer and higher your contributions, the higher your pension.

Minimum period: For the standard old-age pension (Regelaltersrente) you need at least 5 years (60 months) of insurance. For people born in 1964 or later, the retirement age is 67. Child-raising periods (up to 3 years per child) can also count as insurance periods; you need to apply to the DRV for this.

Periods in Turkey: Under the social security agreement between Germany and Turkey, insurance periods in both countries are added together when checking pension eligibility. But each country only pays a pension for the contributions paid to it. So you can receive separate pensions from Germany and Turkey. Your Turkish contributions do not reduce your German pension.

Applying: A pension application in one country also counts as an application in the other. The German pension is also paid if you live in Turkey.

Check your records: From age 27, if you have paid contributions for at least 5 years, the DRV sends you a pension statement (Renteninformation) every year. Request your insurance history (Versicherungsverlauf) to make sure your records are complete. The DRV and the Turkish SGK regularly hold international advice days where you can get free information.

Additional pension: The statutory pension is usually not enough to maintain your standard of living. Look into options such as an employer-supported pension (betriebliche Altersvorsorge); get independent advice before deciding (for example from the Verbraucherzentrale).