Applying for an old-age pension for miners who have worked underground for many years

If you have worked underground in the mining industry for a long time, you can apply for an old-age pension for miners who have worked underground for many years under certain conditions.

There are special pension regulations for miners. These include the "old-age pension for miners who have worked underground for many years". This old-age pension includes a benefit supplement for many years of underground work and is calculated from all entitlements under general pension insurance and miners' pension insurance.

The year in which you were born determines when you can apply for your pension. The age limit for retirement is being raised in stages:

• Year of birth from 1964: from the age of 62
• Year of birth before 1964: increased to 62

You can find out which age limit applies to you in detail using the pension calculator from Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

Under certain conditions, you can retire at the age of 60. The prerequisite for this is that you

• were born before January 1, 1964 and
• adjustment allowance for employees made redundant from the mining industry or
• have received the miners' compensation benefit.

The qualifying period (minimum insurance period) for the old-age pension for miners who have worked underground for many years is 25 years. In addition to continuous underground work, this also includes months in which you received an adjustment allowance.

• Pension application for miners employed underground for many years
• Identity document (such as identity card, passport, birth certificate or family register)

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: Yes

• You are at least 60 years old.
• You have worked underground for a total of at least 25 years and paid contributions to the miners' pension insurance scheme.

• Objection.

Detailed information can be found in the decision on your pension application.

• Appeal to the social court.

Detailed information can be found in the notice of objection.

You can submit your application online, in person or in writing.

Online application:

• On the German Pension Insurance (DRV) website under "Online services" you will find detailed information on the process.
• If you follow the "Submit application" link, you will be guided through the next steps and can select the desired application.
• Alternatively, you can use the online services with registration. For example, you can immediately see which insurance periods have already been recorded. You also save time and do not have to re-enter data you already know.
• Complete the application in full and upload the required documents.
• Submit your application online.
• You will receive a confirmation of submission.
• The Knappschaft-Bahn-See pension insurance provider will check your application.
• You will receive notification of your application.

Personal application:

• Compile the necessary documents for your application and make an appointment with the DRV.
• When making an appointment online, your personal details and, if possible, your insurance number will be required.
• You can select a desired advice center and your preferred date. Depending on the availability of free appointments, you will receive a proposal for a binding consultation appointment.
• During your personal consultation, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the relevant pension insurance provider.
• The Knappschaft-Bahn-See pension insurance provider will check your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

Written application:

• Go to the DRV website.
• Download the required application form.
• You can also collect the form in person from the information and advice centers.
• Complete the application form, sign it and attach the required documents.
• Send all documents
  • by post to your pension insurance provider Knappschaft-Bahn-See or
  • hand them in at one of the local advice centers.
• The Knappschaft-Bahn-See pension insurance provider will check your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

A person you trust can also submit your pension application on your behalf. Please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance fund for this purpose. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance company will only contact the person you have authorized.

If you give your consent to electronic communication, all correspondence can take place online. You can either use the electronic mailbox under the online services with registration or De-Mail.

If possible, you should submit the application 3 months before the desired start of your pension.

There are no costs.