I have to retire at the age of 67
"No. 67 is the standard retirement age. However, you can continue to work after this age if your boss wants to keep you on. As the employer and employee will then continue to pay contributions into the statutory pension insurance scheme, your later pension will increase. This is worthwhile because it means an extra half a percentage point per month, i.e. six percent over the year."
I can only retire at the age of 67
"This depends on the year of birth: only those born in 1964 or later can retire at the age of 67 without any deductions. For those born earlier, the retirement age is gradually increased from 63 to 67. Extra rules apply for the severely disabled."
I don't have to apply for a pension separately
"Yes, everyone has to apply for their pension themselves, preferably a quarter of a year before they retire. This is important because the start of your pension also depends on when your application is received by the insurance provider. You can do this by post or online on the German Pension Insurance website."
The full pension is always paid after 45 years of contributions
"That's not true, because you can only retire without deductions if you have reached a certain age. After 45 years of contributions, for example, you can retire at 63 without any deductions if you were born before 1952. After that, the required age is gradually increased. Incidentally, you generally have to have paid contributions for five years in order to receive a pension at all."
My last contribution years are the most important
"No. All years in which contributions were paid count when calculating the later pension. This also includes periods of training, as well as mini-jobs, if you have not been exempted from paying contributions."
Survivors' pensions are only available for married couples
"Wrong: Even those who do not live together in a traditional marriage but as a registered civil partnership are entitled to this."
I am only allowed to earn limited additional income
This is also a misconception: As a standard old-age pensioner, you can earn as much money as you want and can without it being deducted from or offset against your pension. However, this income must be taxed and you may also have to pay health insurance contributions.
As an early retiree, you can also earn additional income without it being deducted. However, an additional income limit of 6,300 euros gross per year applies here, regardless of whether you earn this in one go or spread over the year. To compensate for deductions, you can make additional voluntary contributions from the age of 50.
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