What is a social security number?

Every person who works in Germany gets a social security number. The social security number will automatically be sent to you by mail the first time you work in Germany. The social security number is therefore proof that you are paying contributions. If you did not receive or have lost the document with your social security number, you can check with the German Pension Insurance. You can find more information on statutory insurance in the Legal category . \n

How does the pension system work?

In Germany, everyone who goes to work pays a contribution for various taxes and insurance. A compulsory insurance is the statutory pension insurance. You deposit an amount every month and get paid out again when you retire. Currently the retirement age is 67 years. This means that in most cases people over the age of 67 no longer have to work and should live on the money from their pension. The amount of the contribution is fixed as a percentage and depends on your salary. The contribution is automatically deducted from your salary if you work full time. Through the pension insurance you should be financially secure in old age. If you can no longer work or can only work to a limited extent due to an illness or disability, or if you are widowed or orphaned, you can also be supported by the statutory pension insurance. In addition to the statutory pension insurance there are also private pension insurances. You can get advice on the subject of pension insurance, for example from the German Pension Insurance. \n

How is the social security contribution paid?

If you work, your social security contribution is automatically deducted from your salary. Your employer pays a part of it and you pay a part. \n

Social security system

The social security system in Germany is based to the principle of solidarity. This means that employees pay contributions every month if they are healthy and able to work. Other people who cannot work, for example because they are ill, can then live on these contributions. The contributions are calculated on a percentage basis and depend on your salary. If you work, taxes and social security contributions are automatically deducted from your salary each month. This includes for example wage tax, health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance or nursing care insurance. You pay one part of the contributions and your employer pays the other part. If you are on sick leave and cannot work, you will still get paid. In Germany you have to be socially insured. In addition to the statutory insurance, there are also private insurance policies that you can take out. You can find further information on insurance in the category Legal. You can obtain advice on social security from the Chamber of Employees.

Every person who works in Germany gets a social security number. The social security number will automatically be sent to you by mail the first time you work in Germany. The social security number is therefore proof that you are paying contributions. If you did not receive or have lost the document with your social security number, you can check with the German Pension Insurance. You can find more information on statutory insurance in the Legal category.
In Germany, everyone who goes to work pays a contribution for various taxes and insurance. A compulsory insurance is the statutory pension insurance. You deposit an amount every month and get paid out again when you retire. Currently the retirement age is 67 years. This means that in most cases people over the age of 67 no longer have to work and should live on the money from their pension. The amount of the contribution is fixed as a percentage and depends on your salary. The contribution is automatically deducted from your salary if you work full time. Through the pension insurance you should be financially secure in old age. If you can no longer work or can only work to a limited extent due to an illness or disability, or if you are widowed or orphaned, you can also be supported by the statutory pension insurance. In addition to the statutory pension insurance there are also private pension insurances. You can get advice on the subject of pension insurance, for example from the German Pension Insurance.

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National insurance in the initial period – AOK