German Pensions: The Brutal Truth About Just 5 Years of Work
Ever thought that working five years in Germany would earn you a decent pension? Brace yourself for a reality check! German pensions aren’t magic money falling from the sky. They’re calculated based on pension points you collect during your working life.
What Are Pension Points and How Much Are They Worth?
Each year of work with an average gross salary earns you one pension point. The current value of one point is €40.79 per month (as of July 1, 2023). So, if you worked five years earning the average salary each year, you’d have five points. That means your gross pension would be about €203.95 per month (5 x 40.79). Yes, you read that right — just over €200 a month!
Is That Enough to Live On?
Of course not! Feniks Magazine warns this amount isn’t enough to cover basic living costs. If your pension doesn’t meet the existential minimum, you might qualify for extra social benefits, but that’s far from an ideal solution.
What If You Didn’t Earn the Average Salary?
If you earned less, worked part-time, or had breaks in your employment, your pension points will be fewer, and your pension even lower. So, five years of work doesn’t guarantee a decent pension.
How to Calculate Your Pension?
The official German pension insurance website has a calculator to help you estimate your future pension. But be ready for the truth — the German pension system rewards longer, stable work and higher earnings.
Bottom Line: Five Years of Work in Germany Is No Golden Ticket to a Secure Retirement
If you thought five years of work in Germany would let you live comfortably on your pension, think again. The system favors longer careers and higher incomes. For others, social assistance and a struggle to get by remain.
