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Request a Rentenauskunft

Deutsche Rentenversicherung · Detailed pension calculation

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The Rentenauskunft (expanded pension information) is the detailed version of the Renteninformation (annual pension information). It contains not only a projection, but also the full Versicherungsverlauf (insurance history), the earnings points reached so far and information on the various types of pension – including the pension deductions for an early start of pension payments.

Under § 109 SGB VI, insured persons receive a Renteninformation every year from the age of 27. Once they have reached the age of 55, this is replaced every three years by the Rentenauskunft. Both are sent automatically and free of charge.

You do not have to wait, though: in the case of legitimate interest, the Rentenauskunft can also be issued earlier or more often – for example if you are planning retirement provision, preparing a Versorgungsausgleich (pension equalisation), or need to know what an early start of pension payments costs. Such an application is likewise free of charge.

Last updated26 August 2026
Legal basis§ 109 SGB VI
VerificationChecked against gesetze-im-internet.de and the Deutsche Rentenversicherung
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information site: We are not the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, not an authority and not a paid advisory service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in plain terms; the competent body is always authoritative. The Rentenauskunft is a projection based on the periods stored so far and is not a binding Rentenbescheid (pension notice). All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.
Automatically from55 yearsThen every three years
RenteninformationFrom 27, annuallyShorter version
CostsFree of chargeAlso on application
Processing timeApprox. 2–4 weeksIf you request it to be sent to you
Required documents

What you need

Pension insurance number

The only piece of information strictly required for a request. You will find it on the Versicherungsnummernachweis (proof of your pension insurance number), on every Renteninformation and on your payslip.

Access to the eServices

Information can be requested and documents viewed through the Deutsche Rentenversicherung’s online services. You log in with the electronic identity card or with access data sent to you by post.

Statement of reasons for the legitimate interest

Only needed if you want the Rentenauskunft before your 55th birthday or more often than every three years. A brief statement of reasons is enough – for example planning for retirement provision, an upcoming Versorgungsausgleich, or checking the effect of an early start of pension payments.

A clarified insurance account

Not a formal requirement, but decisive in practice: the projection is based exclusively on the periods on record. If periods are missing, the forecast pension comes out too low – the Rentenauskunft is then not wrong, but based on an incomplete account.

Step by step

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Check whether it is coming anyway

    Once you have reached the age of 55, the Rentenauskunft is sent automatically every three years; before that, from the age of 27, you receive the shorter Renteninformation every year. If your next dispatch is due soon anyway, there is no need to apply.

  2. 2

    Request it earlier if needed

    If you need the information earlier – for example to plan retirement provision, for a Versorgungsausgleich, or to check the effect of an early start of pension payments – request it with a brief statement of reasons. This is possible online via the eServices, by phone, in writing, or in person at an advice centre, and is free of charge.

  3. 3

    Check the Versicherungsverlauf first

    It is advisable to check the enclosed Versicherungsverlauf for gaps before evaluating the statement. A projection based on an incomplete account is misleading – and systematically too low.

  4. 4

    Reading the three figures correctly

    The statement generally names three amounts: the pension reached so far, the pension assuming unchanged earnings up to the standard retirement age, and the effect of future pension adjustments. The first figure is the only one already secured; the others rest on assumptions.

  5. 5

    Working through the deductions

    The Rentenauskunft shows the effect of an early start of pension payments. Expect a deduction of 0.3% for each month you draw your pension early. If you want to offset the deduction, also request the statement using form V0210, which states the amount you would need to pay.

  6. 6

    Closing gaps

    If the statement shows missing periods, initiate a Kontenklärung (account clarification) using form V0100. Every period added improves the projection permanently – and the earlier you do this, the easier it still is to obtain the evidence.

Fee information

Costs and payment

The Rentenauskunft is free of chargeAutomatically and on application
Automatic mailing from 55Free of charge
Renteninformation from 27Free of charge
Statement on applicationFree of charge
AdviceFree of charge
Statement for deduction offsetFree of charge (V0210)
Deduction per month taken early0,3 %

All statements from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung are free of charge – automatic dispatch just as much as a request on application, and likewise the separate statement on the amount needed to offset a pension reduction (form V0210). Paid third-party offers that promise a “pension analysis” for a fee draw on the same data you receive free of charge. Costs in the economic sense do not arise from the statement itself, but from what it reveals: starting your pension four years early means a permanent 14.4% deduction – with a pension of €1,500, that is €216 a month, for life.

Good to know

Important notes

From 55, it arrives automatically. Under § 109 SGB VI, once you have reached the age of 55, the annual Renteninformation is replaced every three years by the more detailed Rentenauskunft. No application is needed for this.

Earlier is possible with legitimate interest. The law allows an earlier or more frequent statement if a legitimate interest is shown – for example retirement provision planning, a Versorgungsausgleich, or checking the effect of an early start of pension payments. A brief statement of reasons is enough.

The statement is not a notice. It is a projection based on the periods stored so far and does not establish an entitlement at this amount. The pension amount only becomes binding with the Rentenbescheid.

An incomplete basis leads to too low a forecast. If child-raising periods, periods of education or periods abroad are missing from the account, the statement is calculated without them. Always check the enclosed Versicherungsverlauf first for this reason.

The amounts stated are gross. Contributions to health and long-term care insurance are still deducted from the pension, and it is subject to tax. Anyone who plans on the stated amount as disposable income is calculating far too high.

Future pension adjustments are assumptions. The statement shows amounts with and without assumed adjustments. The only secured figure is the pension reached so far – everything else depends on future earnings and future adjustments.

Offsetting the deduction has its own form. Anyone who wants to know what sum would be needed to offset the pension reduction for an early start of pension payments requests the statement using form V0210. This is possible from age 50 and is likewise free of charge.

Important for divorce. In Versorgungsausgleich proceedings, the family court determines the entitlements itself in any case; a Rentenauskunft nevertheless helps you to estimate the order of magnitude in advance and follow the court's calculations.

Avoid these mistakes

Common mistakes

Treating the statement as a Rentenbescheid. It is a projection, not an entitlement. Anyone who treats the stated amount as secured and bases their life planning on it is calculating on assumptions.

Ignoring the enclosed Versicherungsverlauf. The projection is only ever as good as the account. Missing periods lead to too low a forecast – and go unnoticed if only the final amount is looked at.

Confusing gross with net. The amounts stated are gross figures, before health and long-term care insurance contributions and before tax. The disposable amount is noticeably lower.

Waiting until 55 although clarity is needed earlier. Anyone planning retirement provision at 50 or considering an early start of pension payments can already request the statement now with a brief statement of reasons – free of charge.

Paying for a “pension analysis”. Paid offers evaluate the same data you receive free of charge from the pension insurance scheme, including free advice.

Only noticing deductions in the Rentenbescheid. The Rentenauskunft states the effects of an early start. Anyone who does not read it opts for an earlier start of pension payments without knowing the permanent price.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

What is the difference between Renteninformation and Rentenauskunft?

The Renteninformation is the shorter annual overview with a projection of the expected pension. The Rentenauskunft is considerably more detailed: it additionally contains the full Versicherungsverlauf, the earnings points reached and information on the various types of pension including deductions. Under § 109 SGB VI, you receive the Renteninformation every year from the age of 27; from the age of 55, it is replaced every three years by the Rentenauskunft.

From what age do I automatically receive the Rentenauskunft?

Once you have reached the age of 55. From this point on, the Rentenauskunft takes the place of the annual Renteninformation every three years. It is sent automatically and free of charge; no application is required.

Can I get the Rentenauskunft earlier?

Yes. § 109 SGB VI allows earlier or more frequent issuance if a legitimate interest is shown. Typical reasons are planning retirement provision, an upcoming Versorgungsausgleich, or checking the effect of an early start of pension payments. A brief statement of reasons is enough, and the statement remains free of charge.

What does the Rentenauskunft cost?

Nothing. Neither the automatic mailing nor a request on application costs anything, nor does the advice or the separate statement on the amount required to offset a pension reduction (form V0210). Paid third-party offers evaluate the same data that you receive free of charge.

Is the Rentenauskunft binding?

No. It is a projection based on the periods stored so far in the insurance account and does not establish an entitlement at the stated amount. The pension amount only becomes binding with the Rentenbescheid after the application has been submitted. Changes in earnings, future pension adjustments and periods added later affect the result.

Why does my Rentenauskunft come out so low?

Often because the insurance account is incomplete. If child-raising periods, education periods or periods abroad are missing, the statement is calculated without them. Always check the enclosed Versicherungsverlauf first for this reason and, if there are gaps, initiate a Kontenklärung using form V0100. Also note that the amounts stated are gross figures before health and long-term care insurance contributions and before tax.

Does the statement also show the deductions?

Yes. The Rentenauskunft states the effect of an early start of pension payments. Under § 77 SGB VI, the deduction is 0.3% for each month drawn early and applies for life. If you want to know what sum would be needed to offset this deduction, also request the statement using form V0210 – possible from age 50.

Do I need the Rentenauskunft for a divorce?

Not strictly: in Versorgungsausgleich proceedings, the family court determines the entitlements acquired during the marriage itself and obtains the required statements directly from the pension providers. A Rentenauskunft of your own nevertheless helps you to estimate the order of magnitude in advance and follow the court's calculations.

Related official procedures

Insurance history
Basis of the projection
Free of charge
Account clarification (Kontenklärung)
Close gaps beforehand
Free of charge
Old-age pension
Application and deductions
Free of charge

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