Gaps cut your pension but can be closed: with voluntary contributions, buying back study years or child-raising credits. Small amounts have lifelong effect.
✓ Verified: 18/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
AUTHORITY
Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV)
Public body
Pension, account clarification and rehabilitation all run through the Deutsche Rentenversicherung — with in-person advice and online services (eService).
The pension system forgives gaps if you act in time. A voluntary contribution of a few hundred euros can turn a missing qualifying period into a lifelong pension. The key is the free DRV counselling for your specific case.
The order matters more than the amount: close the missing months at the DRV first — only they create the pension entitlement itself, and no private saving can replace them. Anything beyond that is invested freely: Scalable Capital↗ for ETF savings plans from small amounts, WeltSparen↗ for fixed deposits at EU banks with the €100,000 guarantee. Nobody guarantees a return there — unlike the statutory part.
Before leaving Germany I topped up the qualifying period with voluntary contributions — now I will receive the German pension abroad. The outlay pays back in three pension years.
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Lea recommends:
Child-raising periods are not booked automatically: apply for each child. For many parents these are a few free points they did not know about.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who needs voluntary contributions?▾
The self-employed without mandatory insurance, those close to 5 years, and anyone buying months before an early pension. Employees usually do not.
Can I buy back study years?▾
Within limits: certain training periods after 17 can be paid voluntarily, the benefit depends on age. The DRV calculates for free.
Do voluntary contributions pay off financially?▾
Often yes, especially to open entitlement or an early pension: the outlay returns within a few pension years. Have the DRV calculate your case.