Federal Social Court: Voluntary pension contributions are not part of the basic pension!

Federal Social Court: Voluntary pension contributions are not part of the basic pension!

Kassel, Deutschland - In a directional decision, the Bundessocial Court (BSG) Delayed an action by a pensioner who had hoped for a basic pension surcharge. The man had paid for voluntary contributions over 26 years and 230 months of compulsory contributions to the statutory pension insurance. However, the court decided that only the compulsory contributions for the basic pension surcharge count, which is a bit of disappointment for many affected people.

The plaintiff argued that his voluntary payments were a decent pension scheme, but the judges said that there were significant differences between compulsory and voluntary insured persons. This is not only important for the current case, but could also have an impact on the demands of other self -employed people who have also paid voluntary contributions. According to the BSG, only the times with compulsory contributions, child -rearing periods, care times and sick leave are relevant "basic pension times"; Voluntary contributions are not recognized here.

The background of the basic pension

A look at the big picture shows that the basic pension, which was introduced in January 2021, should benefit especially people with many years of work. The average surcharge is 86 euros per month. Around 1.1 million pensioners currently benefit from this regulation, which is intended to help avoid poverty in old age. In order to be considered for the surcharge, those affected must demonstrate at least 33 years of basic pension times and have a low average income of a maximum of 80 percent of the average earnings.

The decision of the BSG sparked the discussion whether it is fair that voluntary contribution times are not part of the basic pension. Bürger-geld illustrates that hundreds of thousands of people are affected in similar situations as the plaintiff. This lawsuit and the rejection of voluntary contribution times can make some to rethink your own retirement provision.

What does that mean for future pensioners?

The Deutsche Rentenversicherung emphasizes the clear separation between compulsory and voluntary insured persons. While certain self -employed and workers are compulsorily insured, insured persons voluntarily have the freedom to determine and even suspend the amount of their contributions themselves. However, this exclusion from the basic pension surcharge could be perceived as disadvantageous. It turns out that voluntariness not only offers an opportunity to improve the pension entitlement, but also brings potential disadvantages.

For those affected, who are now not entitled to a basic pension surcharge, there is still the possibility of applying for basic security. However, the uncertainty about the recognition of voluntary contribution times remains, and it is clear that this topic will continue to ensure conversation - not only among the pensioners, but also within the political debates on retirement provision in Germany.