Renteninformation: Should You Respond to the Letter?

You have received a letter from Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the German pension insurance. It contains several pension amounts, even though you are still working. Should you respond or already submit an application?

What is Renteninformation?

Renteninformation shows your accumulated rights to a state pension and an estimated calculation of future payouts. It is for planning purposes.

It is not a Rentenbescheid, meaning it is not a decision on granting a pension. The information letter itself does not yet mean that payments are approved.

It is usually sent annually starting at age 27 if there are at least five years of contribution periods. From age 55, you receive a Rentenauskunft every three years instead, which is a more detailed statement. Other conditions for receiving it are listed on the federal portal.

What Does This Letter Say?

It usually contains four main indicators:

• Already Accumulated Amount: Calculation of the pension based on credited periods, without future contributions.
• Hochrechnung: Forecast of the future Regelaltersrente, meaning the pension upon reaching your normal retirement age.
• Pension for Full Incapacity to Work: Possible payout in case of significant health-related limitations in your ability to work. The amount shown does not confirm your entitlement to it on its own.
• Contributions: Credited payments from you, employers, and, if applicable, other organizations.

The forecast assumes that future contributions will correspond to the average level of the last five calendar years. This principle is explained in the pension insurance brochure. In reality, your work and contribution amounts may change.

The amounts are shown gross, i.e., before deductions. You will still have to pay for health insurance, long-term care insurance, and possibly taxes from your pension.

Even higher projected amounts are not guaranteed. Inflation reduces purchasing power: the same amount will buy less later. The pension insurance explains more about gross amounts and the impact of inflation.

Do You Need to Do Anything?

Generally, you do not need to respond to a regular Renteninformation. However, check your name and other details. Keep the letter.

To verify specific work periods, you need a Versicherungsverlauf. This is a list of credited periods and earnings. You can request it from the pension insurance.

Are there any gaps or errors? Clarify the procedure for Kontenklärung: this is the term for checking and supplementing your pension insurance account information.

Compare the list with your available documents regarding education and employment. Periods of childcare or care for a relative do not always appear automatically. Report such omissions for verification.

What are the Deadlines?

A regular Renteninformation generally does not require a response by a specific date. This differs from a separate request for documents.

Is there another letter in the envelope with a specific requirement and deadline? Address it separately. If it's unclear what needs to be done, clarify with the sender.

What Happens if You Do Nothing?

Simply not responding to a Renteninformation does not mean an automatic loss of pension rights. However, errors and omissions may go unnoticed.

It becomes more difficult to find old supporting documents over time. Therefore, the pension insurance recommends promptly clarifying incomplete or incorrect information.

Renteninformation helps you understand the amounts and check the credited data. It does not replace a legally binding decision on your future pension. The outcome depends on the rules at that time and complete information about your insurance periods.

Sources

Verified on 05.10.2026:

• Deutsche Rentenversicherung: What Letters Does the Pension Insurance Send
• Deutsche Rentenversicherung: Brochure on Renteninformation, Issue 02/2026
• Deutsche Rentenversicherung: Pension Insurance Account
• Federal Portal: Receiving Renteninformation
• § 109 SGB VI: Renteninformation and Rentenauskunft
• Deutsche Rentenversicherung: Legal Status of Renteninformation