Who do I have to contact?

In many cases people believe the German Consulate or Embassy would be the proper channel, but they are not in charge of payment or administration of German pensions. They can only provide very basic advice and don't have data access to your case and are therefore unable to process any information given to them. They are restricted from forwarding letters or messages, which means an avoidable delay compared to the direct communication between you and the pension funds in Germany.

Direct communication between you and the Deutsche Rentenversicherung is always recommended whenever possible. As you might know, the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (pension funds) has commissioned the Deutsche Post Pension Service to handle all payments, address changes, life certificates etc. So it depends which questions you have when contacting German authorities. For some questions you will receive mail from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (application, yearly raises of payments), for others the Deutsche Post might be in charge (monthly check, life certificate, notification of overpaid payments etc.) Both organizations will exchange incoming mail so there is no risk of writing to the wrong branch. Addresses are given below:

I. For a change of address, change of a bank account, life certificates, death of a pensioner, late or missing checks you should contact the Deutsche Post as follows:

1. Using the contact form on the website www.rentenservice.com (available in English)

2. If you contact the Pension Service by phone from abroad you can dial the following numbers:

011/49/180 5 01 40 09

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 6:pm German time,

Friday: 8 am - 5pm German time.

3. Please send your mail to:

Deutsche Post AG

Niederlassung Renten Service

13496 Berlin

Germany

II. For new applicants and for applications for a widow's pension you should contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Nord as follows:

Deutsche Rentenversicherung Nord (blue collar workers)

Friedrich-Ebert-Damm 245

22159 Hamburg

Tel.: 011/49/40/5300 0

Fax: 011/49/40/5300 1684

www.deutsche-rentenversichernung.de (also in English)

Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (white collar workers)

Ruhrstrasse 2

10709 Berlin

Tel.: 011/49/30/8651

Fax: 011/49/30/8652 7240

www.deutsche-rentenversichernung.de (also in English)

III. For questions regarding the German pensions effect on your American social security you should contact the Social Security Administration office at:

Social Security Administration

Office of International Operations Totalization

P.O. Box 17049

Baltimore, Maryland 21235