Germany - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Germany and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Germany and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Germany or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Germany came into force on April 1, 1988. A supplementary agreement came into force on December 1, 2003.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the German pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Germany, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- German old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- German survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a German benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country's pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Germany will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Germany's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods of coverage under the pension program of Germany as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods of coverage under the pension program of Germany and periods during which you resided in Germany after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada's international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
German benefits
The pension program of Germany consists of the Pension Insurance, the Steel Workers' Supplementary Insurance and the Farmer's Old Age Security. The eligibility conditions for benefits under each scheme are the same.
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Germany, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, to qualify for a German benefit under the Agreement, Germany will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as periods of coverage under the German pension program.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for German benefits:
- Germany/Canada Agreement - Application for a German Retirement and/or Disability Pension D/C 1)
- Germany/Canada Agreement - Application for German Survivor's Benefits (D/C 2)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
If you live in Germany
If you live in Germany and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Germany/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-DEU)
- Germany/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-DEU)
- Germany/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-DEU)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Germany, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Germany’s social security
Resources
- Agreement on social security between Canada and Germany
- Supplementary Social Security Agreement between Canada and Germany
- German Pensions for Work in Ghettos (ZRBG)
- General overview of Germany’s social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on social security between Canada and Germany and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
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