You need the life certificate:

For example, for your pension.

A life certificate states:

• the name

• the name at birth

• the first name

• the date of birth

• the place of birth

• where you live

Pension recipients must show this once a year:

You are still alive.

This is particularly important for people living abroad.

Or for people with an account abroad.

That way you can be sure:

The pension is only paid to people who are alive.

There is a form for this.

The form is called:

Life certificate.

You can obtain the form from official offices.

For example

- at the municipality (Bürger-Amt, Bürger-Service or Einwohner-Melde-Amt)

- heavy word: at the consulate

The completed form must be returned in the original.

It is sent to the pension service of Deutsche Post AG.

The pension insurance company may request a life certificate as proof. This is an official document which is issued by the competent authority on application.