German Pension Payments Abroad Suspended Over Missing Proof of Life
Retirees living outside Germany face temporary benefit stoppages if they miss the mandatory deadline to submit their required certificate of existence.
Retirees receiving a German pension while living abroad faced the suspension of their payments starting at the end of October 2026 if they failed to submit the mandatory proof of life by the October 9 deadline established by the Deutsche Post pension service. The temporary halt affects beneficiaries who did not complete the required documentation, though authorities emphasize that the measure is not a permanent cancellation of pension rights.
The pension service clarified that disbursements will resume once a valid and complete proof of life is received and processed. However, beneficiaries must follow strict submission rules to avoid further delays. Submitting the filled-out certificate via email or fax is expressly prohibited and will not be accepted by the pension service.
Instead, retirees must utilize one of two approved methods: the digital identification process through the Postident app using a smartphone or tablet and a valid ID, or mailing the original, officially confirmed certificate on paper to the designated address in Leipzig. The postal option requires confirmation from authorized entities such as official authorities, healthcare funds, or financial institutions.
Authorities also warned against common mistakes that can complicate the process. For instance, relatives or legal guardians are strictly prohibited from performing the digital identification on behalf of the retiree; the beneficiary must complete it independently. Additionally, individuals receiving multiple German pensions must ensure they submit separate proofs for each distinct pension number referenced in their notices.
For those who missed the deadline or misplaced their paperwork, relief options remain available. A replacement digital access code can be requested online until November 25, 2026, and paper forms continue to be an option. The pension service noted that retroactive payments for the suspended months will be factored in once the verification is successfully completed, though no binding timeframe for the back payment has been provided.
Not all international pensioners are subject to this requirement, as approximately 1.2 million of the 1.7 million pensions paid abroad utilize automated data exchanges with local authorities in countries such as Austria, Spain, Italy, and Australia. Those who did not receive a specific request to provide proof of life do not need to take any action.