Overview
- Retroactive pension payments cover only the benefit itself, while taxation, health insurance status and allowances are anchored to the formal start month, making timely applications essential.
- Question 9.7.2 in the pension form lets applicants choose an earnings estimate for up to three months before retirement that can lock in the lifelong rate; a shift planned for 2027 would make estimation the default with upward correction if actual pay is higher.
- A Schleswig-Holstein regional social court ruled the pension fund may recoup only what a claimant actually retained after reimbursements when a pension is retroactively raised, voiding an extra €2,804.81 demand in the test case.
- Legislation to replace Bürgergeld with a new basic support from 1 July 2026 has begun its first reading, proposing a standard 30% cut for violations and a “three-times-plus-one” path for missed appointments that can suspend entitlement, pending parliamentary approval.
- Coverage highlights frequent gaps in pension records and urges early account checks, and the pension insurer confirms that contributions paid while on early retirement are credited at regular age with a 0.5% monthly bonus on contributions after reaching that age.