Overview
- Question 9.7.2 on the 22‑page pension application asks whether to project up to three months of final earnings to issue a faster decision.
- Selecting “Yes” can permanently fix the calculated pension, which may undercount one‑off payments such as vacation payouts, overtime settlements, or bonuses.
- Consumer advice for 2026 applicants urges a “No” if special payments are expected and a short delay is financially manageable so actual earnings are used.
- Applicants with stable pay or those moving to part‑time shortly before retirement may benefit from agreeing to the projection, as calculations can reflect full‑time levels.
- The Deutsche Rentenversicherung recommends filing at least three months before retirement, and from 2027 the SGB‑VI amendment will standardize projections and ensure back payments when projections are too low.