German Pension Clarified: 45 Years of Contributions Does Not Guarantee Retirement at 63 Without Cuts

Overview

• Early retirement before the personal regular age triggers a 0.3 percentage point reduction per month, and the cut remains for the entire pension period.
• Workers with at least 35 qualifying years can claim from 63 only with deductions under the DRV’s pension for long-term insured.
• For recent cohorts the regular age has risen, with those born in 1964 retiring regularly at 67 and the 45-year no-deduction option generally opening only at 65.
• A 1964-born example retiring at 63 results in a 14.4% reduction, lowering an illustrative €1,900 gross pension to about €1,630 per month.
• DRV advises checking the personal statement and clarifying credited times, while options include Flexirente, voluntary top-ups from age 50 to offset cuts, and means-tested Grundsicherung for low incomes.