Apply for a contribution subsidy from the agricultural pension fund

You can apply for the contribution subsidy in writing, in person, by telephone or online. In order to meet the deadline, you can initially submit the application for exemption informally, for example by telephone.

Written application:

• Download the application form from the website of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture.
• Complete the form in full and compile the required documents.
• Send your completed and signed application with the required documents by post to the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture

Apply online:

• If necessary, register on the service portal of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture. When you register, you will receive your personal access data by post.
• Go to the service portal of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture and log in there.
• Fill in the web form and upload the necessary documents via the mailbox function. Once your details have been confirmed, your data will be transmitted online to the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture.

Apply in person during the consultation:

• Compile the documents required for the application
• Make an appointment with the Agricultural Pension Fund or an advice center of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG).

Application by telephone:

• Call the service number of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture and ask to be put through to the person responsible for processing your application.
• You will receive the form required for the complete application by post or electronically.

At the end of the process, you will receive notification of your contribution subsidy.

Please note: A person you trust can also submit your subsidy application on your behalf. Please submit a corresponding power of attorney to your agricultural pension fund. As long as the power of attorney is valid, your Landwirtschaftliche Alterskasse will only contact your authorized person.

As a farmer or spouse of a farmer, you are subject to compulsory insurance with the Agricultural Pension Fund. You have received notification of this.

You can apply for a contribution subsidy for your contribution and for the contribution for family members working with you if:

• Your annual income does not exceed 60 percent of the reference value for social insurance in the respective year.
  • The annual income is calculated from
    • the annual income of the farmer and
    • the annual income of spouses or partners who are not permanently separated from them.
  • Half of the income is attributed to the spouses. The same applies to civil partners.
  • The total income in a marriage may not exceed twice the above-mentioned limit.
  • All types of income under income tax law as well as income in lieu of income, such as pensions or sick pay, are taken into account.

• Application for contribution subsidy
• most recent income tax assessment notice from the last 4 calendar years or
• written proof of income earned in the calendar year before last.

Please refer to the application form to find out which documents are required in your case.

• if the application is made by another person:
  • Power of attorney or
  • Order of the court

No fees are charged for processing the application.

The contribution subsidy begins in the calendar month in which the requirements are met if you submit the application within 3 months.

If you submit the application later, the contribution subsidy will start at the earliest from the calendar month in which you submit the application.

If it has been established that you are obliged to take out insurance in the past, the period begins when you are notified of this obligation.

• § Section 32 of the Act on Old-Age Insurance for Farmers (ALG)
• § Section 33 of the Act on Old-Age Insurance for Farmers (ALG)
• § Section 4 of the Income Tax Act (EStG)
• § Section 13a of the Income Tax Act (EStG)
• § Section 162 of the German Fiscal Code (AO)

• An objection can be lodged against the contribution subsidy decision within one month (3 months abroad) of its notification.
• If the appeal is unsuccessful, there is the option of taking legal action before the social court.

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance required: Yes

Online services available: Yes

The following instructions apply:

First of all, the application can also be informal in order to meet the deadline.

14.12.2022