Apply for a pension for miners

You can submit your application online, in person or in writing.

Online application:

• On the German Pension Insurance (DRV) website under "Online services" you will find detailed information on the process.
• If you follow the "Submit application" link, you will be guided through the next steps and can select the desired application.
• Alternatively, you can use the online services with registration. For example, you can immediately see which insurance periods have already been recorded. You also save time and do not have to re-enter data you already know.
• Complete the application in full and upload the required documents.
• Submit your application online.
• You will receive a confirmation of submission.
• The pension insurance provider Knappschaft-Bahn-See will check your application.
• You will receive notification of your application.

Personal application:

• Compile the necessary documents for your application and make an appointment with the DRV.
• When making an appointment online, your personal details and, if possible, your insurance number will be required.
• You can select a desired advice center and your preferred date. Depending on the availability of free appointments, you will receive a proposal for a binding consultation appointment.
• During your personal consultation, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the relevant pension insurance provider.
• The Knappschaft-Bahn-See pension insurance provider will check your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

Written application:

• Go to the DRV website.
• Download the required application form.
• You can also collect the form in person from the information and advice centers.
• Complete the application form, sign it and enclose the required documents.
• Send all documents
  • by post to your pension insurance provider Knappschaft-Bahn-See or
  • hand them in at one of the local advice centers.
• The Knappschaft-Bahn-See pension insurance provider will check your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

A person you trust can also submit your pension application on your behalf. Please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance fund for this purpose. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance company will only contact the person you have authorized.

If you give your consent to electronic communication, all correspondence can take place online. You can either use the electronic mailbox under the online services with registration or De-Mail.

You can receive a pension for miners if you

• have not yet reached the standard retirement age,
• you are unable to continue working in mining as your main occupation due to illness or disability and
• you are unable to carry out another equivalent occupation due to illness or disability. This means an essentially economically equivalent occupation that requires equivalent knowledge and skills.

In addition, before your reduced capacity to work in the mining industry, you must have

• have paid at least 3 years of compulsory miners' contributions during the last 5 years and
• have completed a qualifying period (minimum insurance period) of 5 years in the miners' pension insurance scheme.

You can also receive a pension for miners from the age of 50 if you

• are not in employment or self-employment that is economically equivalent to your work in the mining industry and
• you have completed the qualifying period (minimum insurance period) of 25 years.

Contribution periods due to employment with permanent underground work will be credited to this waiting period.

You also fulfill the waiting period if you have 25 years of contribution periods due to underground employment together with miners' compensation periods.

• Application for a pension for miners
• Personal document (such as identity card, passport, birth certificate or family register)

There are no costs.

It is advisable to apply for a pension as soon as possible if you consider yourself to be less able to work.

• § Section 45 of the Sixth Book of the Social Code (SGB VI)
• § Section 242 of the Sixth Book of the Social Code (SGB VI)

• Objection.

Detailed information can be found in the notification of your application.

• Appeal to the social court.

Detailed information can be found in the notice of objection.

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: Yes

14.10.2022