Cash out or refund your German company pension online
The refund calculator is available for VBL, ZVK, VddB and VddKO. It is not used for bAV cash-outs.
If approved, the money is paid directly to the bank account you provide. CompanyPension does not receive, hold or forward approved pension money.
CompanyPension is a secure digital application platform for German company pension cash-outs and refunds. Start with the provider name, scheme name or document you already have. The platform extracts available information, guides you through the relevant process and prepares the application for your review and digital signature.
Supports bAV and company pension documents from Allianz, AXA, Swiss Life, ERGO, R+V, Nürnberger, Siemens, HDI, BVV and other German pension and insurance providers.
Which company pension cash-out or refund do you need?
Quick answer
Start with the wording on your pension document.
- If it shows bAV, betriebliche Altersversorgung, Direktversicherung, Pensionskasse, Pensionsfonds, Unterstützungskasse or the name of an insurance or pension provider, you usually need a company pension cash-out check.
- If it shows VBL, VBLklassik, ZVK or Zusatzversorgungskasse, you may need a public-sector contribution refund check.
- If it shows VddB, VddKO, Bühnenversorgung or Orchesterversorgung, you may need a stage or orchestra pension refund check.
- If it shows DRV or Deutsche Rentenversicherung, it belongs to the German statutory pension system. A DRV refund is separate and does not include your company pension.
CompanyPension uses your document, provider name and answers to route you into the relevant online process.
Choose the route that matches your pension document
You do not need to understand the legal structure of your pension before starting. Choose the closest match or upload your document and let the platform identify the route.
bAV and company pension cash-outs
For employer-based pensions such as:
- Direktversicherung
- Pensionskasse
- Pensionsfonds
- Unterstützungskasse
- Direktzusage
- Entgeltumwandlung
- Provider-based company pensions
These cases are checked for a possible one-time payout or lump-sum settlement.
VBL and ZVK refunds
For public-sector supplementary pensions connected to universities, public hospitals, research institutions, municipalities and other public employers.
These are generally contribution-refund cases rather than bAV cash-outs.
VddB and VddKO refunds
For pension contributions connected to German stage, theatre, opera, dance or orchestra employment.
These refund routes have their own contribution-period and waiting-period rules.
| Wording on your document | What it usually means | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| bAV, betriebliche Altersversorgung, Entgeltumwandlung | A German employer or company pension | Start a bAV cash-out check |
| Direktversicherung, Pensionskasse, Pensionsfonds, Unterstützungskasse | Different ways a bAV may be arranged | Start a bAV cash-out check |
| Allianz, AXA, Swiss Life, ERGO, R+V, Nürnberger, HDI,BVV | A provider or pension institution that may administer a bAV | Start with the provider document |
| VBL, VBLklassik, ZVK, Zusatzversorgungskasse | Public-sector company pension schemes | Start a VBL or ZVK refund check |
| VddB, VddKO, Bühnenversorgung, Orchesterversorgung | Stage, theatre, opera or orchestra pension institutions | Start a VddB or VddKO refund check |
| DRV, Deutsche Rentenversicherung | Germany’s statutory state pension system | Use the separate DRV refund process |
Cash out your bAV or German company pension
A bAV is a German company pension arranged through an employer. You may not see the word “bAV” clearly on your pension documents. Instead, the document may show a contract type, pension institution or insurance provider.
Common bAV wording
Your document may mention:
- betriebliche Altersversorgung
- bAV
- Entgeltumwandlung
- Direktversicherung
- Pensionskasse
- Pensionsfonds
- Unterstützungskasse
- Direktzusage
- employer pension
- company pension
- Abfindung
Direktversicherung, Pensionskasse, Pensionsfonds, Unterstützungskasse and Direktzusage are different ways a bAV may be arranged. They are not separate from bAV.
Can the pension be paid out early?
Possibly. Leaving your employer or leaving Germany does not automatically create a right to cash out the pension.
A one-time payout may be possible depending on:
- The type of bAV
- Whether the entitlement is vested
- The monthly pension or capital value
- The employer and pension provider
- The contract terms
- Whether a permitted lump-sum settlement route applies
- Whether your statutory German pension contributions have already been refunded
For a larger vested bAV entitlement, an approved DRV refund can create the basis for requesting a separate lump-sum settlement under §3(3) BetrAVG.
The DRV refund does not include or automatically pay out the bAV. A separate company pension request is still required.
People often search for this as “cancel my bAV” or “cancel my German company pension.” In practice, the relevant process is usually a company pension cash-out or lump-sum settlement rather than a refund of contributions.
Start with the provider name on your pension document
Many users do not recognise their pension as a bAV. They recognise only the provider name shown on a statement, policy or employer document.
A pension administered by an insurance company or pension institution may still be a bAV connected to a previous German employer.
The provider name helps identify the relevant document and cash-out route. It does not by itself determine whether a cash-out is possible.
Allianz bAV cash-out
For company pension documents administered by Allianz, including supported Direktversicherung, Pensionskasse and Pensionsfonds documents.
AXA bAV cash-out
For company pension documents administered by AXA or connected pension entities.
Swiss Life bAV cash-out
For company pension documents administered by Swiss Life or connected pension institutions.
ERGO bAV cash-out
For company pension documents administered by ERGO or older connected provider entities.
R+V bAV cash-out
For company pension documents administered by R+V or supported connected pension arrangements.
Nürnberger bAV cash-out
For German employer-pension documents administered by Nürnberger.
HDI bAV cash-out
For German company pension documents administered by HDI or connected pension providers.
BVV cash-out
For company pension documents connected to German banking or financial-sector employment.
Your provider is not listed?
Upload the pension document or enter the provider name manually. The platform uses the available information to identify the relevant bAV route.
Whether a cash-out may be possible still depends on the pension arrangement, current value, vesting status, employer involvement and available settlement route.
What is the difference between a cash-out and a refund?
People often use “refund” to mean getting pension money back. The correct process depends on the pension type.
The outcome may sound similar—receiving pension money after leaving employment—but the legal basis, documents and application flow are different.
Company pension cash-out
A cash-out means requesting a one-time payout or lump-sum settlement of a bAV entitlement.
This usually applies to:
- bAV
- Direktversicherung
- Pensionskasse
- Pensionsfonds
- Unterstützungskasse
- BVV and other provider-based company pensions
- Abfindung
- One-time payout
Company pension refund
A refund means applying to get eligible employee contributions back from a contribution-based pension scheme.
This usually applies to:
- VBL
- ZVK
- VddB
- VddKO
- Beitragserstattung
People also search for this as “cancel my bAV” or “cancel my German company pension.” In practice, the relevant process is usually a cash-out or lump-sum settlement rather than a refund of contributions.
Can you cash out your bAV after leaving Germany?
Possibly.
A bAV is a German company pension connected to an employer. Leaving the employer or leaving Germany does not automatically create a right to cash it out.
A one-time payout may nevertheless be possible depending on:
- The type of pension arrangement
- Whether the entitlement is vested
- The monthly pension or capital value
- The employer and provider
- The contract terms
- Whether a permitted settlement route applies
- Whether your German state pension contributions have already been refunded
Small company pensions can sometimes be settled under the small-benefit rules.
For a larger vested bAV entitlement, an approved DRV refund can create the basis for requesting a separate lump-sum settlement under §3(3) BetrAVG.
The company pension is not included in the DRV refund. A separate bAV request is still required.
Can you get VBL or ZVK contributions back?
Possibly. VBL and ZVK are supplementary pension schemes for many German public-sector employees. A refund may be possible where the relevant pension rights have not become vested and the scheme-specific refund rules are met.
VBL
Eligible employee contributions paid into VBLklassik in VBL West / Abrechnungsverband West may be refundable.
Contributions paid into VBL East / Abrechnungsverband Ost are generally not refundable. VBLextra contributions are also not refundable.
Earlier VBL or recognised ZVK periods may affect whether the waiting period has been fulfilled.
ZVK
ZVK rules depend on the relevant Zusatzversorgungskasse.
The scheme reviews contribution periods, statutory vesting, earlier public-sector pension periods and its own refund rules.
VBL and ZVK refunds generally concern eligible employee contributions. Employer-paid amounts are not refunded to the employee.
Can you get a VddB or VddKO refund?
A refund may be possible if you paid into one of the German stage or orchestra pension institutions and later left the relevant employment.
The standard online check considers whether:
- You completed at least 12 contribution months
- You completed no more than 35 contribution months
- The applicable waiting period after the last contribution has passed
- The recorded employment and contribution periods meet the institution’s rules
A DRV refund is separate—but it can affect a bAV cash-out
A German state pension refund covers statutory pension contributions paid into Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Your documents may use terms such as:
- bAV
- Direktversicherung
- Pensionskasse
- Pensionsfonds
- Unterstützungskasse
- BVV
- VBL
- ZVK
- VddB
- VddKO
Already received your DRV refund?
Your company pension still requires a separate cash-out or refund process.
For a larger vested bAV, proof of the approved DRV refund can create the basis for requesting a lump-sum settlement under §3(3) BetrAVG.
Upload the DRV refund decision together with the bAV document when starting the cash-out flow.
Have not claimed your DRV refund yet?
If your bAV is vested and above the small-benefit threshold, an approved DRV refund may be required before a separate lump-sum settlement can be requested.
DRV refund eligibility follows different rules, including nationality, current residence, contribution history and the applicable waiting period.
Check my DRV refund eligibility
Germany Pension Refund is a separate service operated by ATLAES GmbH.
A DRV refund does not automatically cash out a company pension. The employer or pension provider still reviews the individual pension arrangement and makes the final decision.
Upload your pension document instead of decoding it yourself
CompanyPension is built around the documents users already have.
Automated document recognition
Upload a provider statement, bAV contract, VBL letter, ZVK document or other supported pension document.
OCR and automated data extraction can identify information such as:
- Provider or scheme
- Pension type
- Insurance or contract number
- Employer
- Relevant dates
- Recorded values
You review and correct every extracted detail.
Questions adapted to your pension
Automated completeness checks
Human oversight when needed
Most standard steps run digitally and automatically.
Human support is added when a document cannot be read reliably or provider correspondence needs clarification or translation.
Complete your cash-out or refund online in five steps
Check which process applies
Secure your claim
Complete your details
Review, sign and submit digitally
Receive approved money and pay the remaining fee
Documents, bank accounts and processing time
What documents do you need?
You can usually start with one pension document.
Useful documents include:
- bAV contract or provider statement
- Direktversicherung document
- Pensionskasse or Pensionsfonds letter
- VBL or ZVK statement
- VddB or VddKO document
- Employer pension agreement
- Old payslip showing pension deductions
- DRV refund decision, where relevant
- Passport or ID
- Bank details
You do not need every document before starting. The platform shows what is still missing.
Do you need a German bank account?
A German bank account is not required in most cases.
Some refund routes require a SEPA-capable EUR account. If needed, CompanyPension can help you open a suitable EUR account.
A bAV cash-out may also be payable to an international account, depending on the provider.
How long does it take?
Processing starts after the signed application has been submitted.
Many straightforward contribution-refund cases may be completed within approximately 4 to 12 weeks.
bAV cash-outs can take longer when employer involvement, provider review or health insurance confirmation is required.
The provider or pension institution controls the final processing time.
Simple pricing for cash-outs and refunds
Every supported process starts with a €199 deposit.
If approved:
- The success fee is 9.75% of the approved amount
- The minimum total service fee is €199
- The €199 deposit is credited toward the final service fee
- Only the remaining difference becomes due
bAV and company pension cash-outs
+ 9.75% success fee if approved
Deposit rule:
If the cash-out cannot be submitted after the digital case and document review:
- €79 is retained
- €120 is refunded
The retained amount covers the secure claim setup, document extraction and case review.
VBL, ZVK, VddB and VddKO refunds
+ 9.75% success fee if approved
Deposit rule:
If the pension institution rejects a completed and submitted refund request, the €199 deposit is refunded in full.
This is different from abandoning the process or leaving the application incomplete.
If approved, the money is paid directly to the bank account you provide. CompanyPension does not receive, hold or forward approved pension money.
Which process fits your document?
Use the wording on your pension document to find the most likely cash-out or refund route.
| Document wording | What it usually means | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| bAV betriebliche Altersversorgung Entgeltumwandlung | A German employer/company pension. | Start a bAV cash-out check. |
| Direktversicherung Pensionskasse Pensionsfonds Unterstützungskasse | bAV setups or contract types. | Start a bAV cash-out check. |
| Allianz, AXA, Swiss Life, ERGO, R+V, Nürnberger, HDI, BVV or another provider | A provider or pension institution that may hold a bAV or company pension. | Start with the provider document. |
| VBL, VBLklassik, ZVK, Zusatzversorgungskasse | Public-sector company pension schemes, usually handled as contribution refund cases. | Start a VBL or ZVK refund check. |
| VddB, VddKO, Bühnenversorgung, Orchesterversorgung | Stage, theatre, opera or orchestra pension institutions, usually handled as refund cases. | Compare company pension vs DRV. |
| DRV, Deutsche Rentenversicherung | Germany’s statutory state pension system. A DRV refund does not include company pensions. | Compare company pension vs DRV. |
Not sure which route applies? Upload your pension document or enter the provider or scheme name. The platform uses the available information to guide you into the relevant process.
German company pension cash-outs and refunds: common questions
A company pension refund means applying to get eligible employee contributions back from a contribution-based company pension scheme.
This commonly applies to VBL, ZVK, VddB and VddKO cases.
Usually, only eligible contributions paid by you as the employee are refundable. Employer-paid amounts are generally not refunded to you.
A company pension refund is separate from a German state pension refund through Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Company pension cash-out and refund terms explained
bAV
Short for betriebliche Altersversorgung. The German term for an occupational or company pension.
Refund
A reimbursement of eligible employee contributions from a contribution-based pension scheme.
VBL and ZVK
Public-sector supplementary pension schemes. Eligible cases are normally handled as contribution refunds.
DRV
Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Germany’s statutory pension system. A DRV refund is separate from company pensions.
VddB and VddKO
Pension institutions for German stage, theatre, opera, dance and orchestra employment.
Abfindung
The German term commonly used for a lump-sum settlement of a pension entitlement.
Pensionskasse and Pensionsfonds
Other ways in which a German employer may arrange a bAV.
Cash-out
A request to settle or pay out a bAV entitlement as a one-time amount.
Direktversicherung
A common insurance-based bAV arrangement created through an employer.
Unterstützungskasse
A support-fund structure used for some German company pensions.
A digital application platform—not a pension advisor or claims agent
- CompanyPension is a brand and digital application platform operated by ATLAES GmbH.
- The platform prepares the relevant application from the documents and information you provide.
- You review and sign the application yourself and remain the applicant and claimant throughout the process.
- After signing, the application is technically transmitted to the relevant employer, provider, pension scheme or institution through the CompanyPension platform.
You may give ATLAES GmbH limited authorization to:
- Receive and forward relevant provider correspondence
- Receive information about the final decision
- Receive information about the approved amount
This allows the platform to display follow-up requests and calculate the agreed service fee.
The authorization does not make ATLAES GmbH the applicant or claimant.
CompanyPension does not:
- Decide whether a cash-out or refund is approved
- Provide pension advice
- Provide legal or tax advice
- Provide financial advice
- Provide insurance advice or brokerage
- Assess or argue your legal position
- Receive, hold or forward approved pension money
The employer, provider, pension scheme or institution makes the final decision.
Source basis
- German company pension cash-outs and refunds must be separated according to the pension type.
- bAV and provider-based company pensions are generally checked as cash-out or lump-sum settlement cases.
- VBL, ZVK, VddB and VddKO are generally handled as contribution-refund cases under their own scheme rules.
- A DRV refund applies only to statutory pension contributions and does not include company pensions.
- An approved DRV refund can create the basis for requesting settlement of a vested bAV under §3(3) BetrAVG.
- This page provides general information and does not replace individual legal, pension, tax, insurance or financial advice.
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Ready to check your German company pension?
Upload your bAV document, provider statement, VBL or ZVK letter, or VddB or VddKO document. The platform identifies the relevant cash-out or refund route and shows what information is still needed.
If approved, the money is paid directly to the bank account you provide. CompanyPension does not receive, hold or forward approved pension money.