VBL and DRV are not the same pension
If approved, the money is paid directly to the bank account you provide. CompanyPension does not receive, hold or forward approved pension money.
- A German state pension refund through Deutsche Rentenversicherung does not include VBL.
- DRV is the statutory German state pension system.
- VBL is a separate public-sector company pension scheme.
- If you have both DRV and VBL contributions, they are checked through separate processes.
- A completed DRV refund does not automatically trigger, include or replace a VBL refund.
Does a DRV refund include VBL?
No. A DRV refund does not include VBL.
DRV refunds only cover statutory German state pension contributions paid into Deutsche Rentenversicherung. VBL is a separate public-sector company pension scheme and needs its own refund check.
If you worked for a German public-sector employer, university, research institute, hospital or similar employer, you may have both DRV and VBL pension records. Receiving a DRV refund does not mean your VBL has been refunded.
VBL vs DRV in short
- DRV is Germany’s statutory state pension system.
- VBL is a public-sector company pension scheme.
- A DRV refund does not include VBL.
- VBL needs a separate refund check
- For VBLklassik, contribution reimbursement generally concerns the employee’s own share under VBL’s rules. Employer-paid amounts are not refunded to the employee.
- A DRV refund and a VBL refund can be separate processes for the same person.
What is DRV?
DRV means Deutsche Rentenversicherung. It is Germany’s statutory state pension system.
If you worked in Germany as an employee, part of your salary was usually paid into the statutory pension system. A DRV refund is a separate process that may allow eligible people to reclaim their own statutory pension contributions after leaving Germany, if the legal conditions are met.
A DRV refund does not include VBL, ZVK or other company pensions. It is separate from public-sector supplementary pensions and bAV cash-out cases.
What is VBL?
VBL stands for Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder. It is a public-sector company pension scheme used by many German public-sector and public-sector related employers.
You may have VBL if you worked for a German public employer, university, research institution, public hospital, cultural institution or another employer participating in VBL.
Your document may mention:
- VBL
- VBLklassik
- VBLextra
- Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder
- Zusatzversorgung
- public-sector supplementary pension
- employee contributions
- annual VBL statement
- VBL Versicherungsnummer
Why people confuse VBL and DRV
Many people see several pension deductions on German payslips or receive several pension letters after leaving Germany.
That can make it look like there is one “German pension refund” process for everything.
There is not.
DRV, VBL and other company pension systems are separate. They may all relate to your work in Germany, but they are handled by different institutions and follow different refund rules.
For example:
- Your DRV record belongs to Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
- Your VBL record belongs to VBL.
- Your bAV or provider-based company pension belongs to the provider or pension institution shown on the document.
One German job can create more than one pension record. A refund from one system does not automatically refund the others.
What is the difference between a DRV refund and a VBL refund?
A DRV refund and a VBL refund are different processes.
| Topic | DRV refund | VBL refund |
|---|---|---|
| System | Statutory German state pension. | Public-sector company pension scheme. |
| Institution | Deutsche Rentenversicherung. | Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder. |
| What may be refunded | Eligible statutory employee pension contributions. | Eligible VBL employee contributions, depending on VBL rules. |
| Employer contributions | Employer contributions are not paid back to the employee through a DRV refund. | For VBLklassik contribution reimbursement, employer-paid amounts are not refunded to the employee. |
| Process | Separate DRV refund process. | Separate VBL refund process. |
| Does one include the other? | No. DRV does not include VBL. | No. VBL does not include DRV. |
Can you get a VBL refund after your DRV refund?
Possibly. A completed DRV refund does not automatically include or block a separate VBL refund check.
The two refunds cover different systems. If you paid into VBL through a public-sector employer, your VBL record may still need to be checked even after your DRV refund has already been completed.
Your VBL refund depends on VBL-specific rules, including the scheme, contribution periods, timing and whether the refund conditions are met.
When can VBL contributions be refunded?
A VBL refund can be possible when the VBL-specific refund rules are met.
These rules can include contribution periods, timing, age and which contributions are refundable. For VBLklassik, contribution reimbursement generally concerns the employee’s own share, while employer-paid amounts are not refunded to the employee.
Does VBL refund employer contributions?
For VBLklassik, contribution reimbursement generally focuses on the employee’s own share under VBL’s rules.
Employer-paid amounts are not refunded to the employee.
This is one reason why the amount you receive may differ from the total amount shown in pension records or payroll history
How to tell whether your document is VBL or DRV
Start with the name on the document.
If you are not sure, start with the document you have. CompanyPension guides you through the right online process based on the wording on the document.
A DRV document may mention:
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung
- DRV
- Rentenversicherung
- Versicherungsverlauf
- Renteninformation
- statutory pension
- state pension
- Beitragserstattung
A VBL document may mention:
- VBL
- VBLklassik
- VBLextra
- Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder
- Zusatzversorgung
- annual VBL statement
- VBL Versicherungsnummer
- employee contributions
- public-sector supplementary pension
What if your document is neither VBL nor DRV?
If your document shows a private-employer company pension — for example bAV, a Direktversicherung, Pensionskasse or provider name such as Allianz, AXA, Swiss Life, ERGO or BVV — it is usually a separate bAV cash-out case
If your document shows ZVK, VddB or VddKO, it may belong to a separate contribution refund process.
Bank account, timeline and payment
If a VBL refund is approved, the money is paid directly to the bank account you provide. CompanyPension does not receive, hold or forward approved pension money.
A German bank account is not always required. For many German pension cash-outs and refunds, a SEPA-capable EUR account is the most straightforward option.
VBL and DRV follow separate timelines because they are handled by separate institutions. Completing one process does not automatically complete the other.
What happens when you start with your VBL document?
CompanyPension uses the document wording to route your case.
If your document shows VBL, VBLklassik or Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder, you are routed into the VBL refund check.
If your document shows DRV or Deutsche Rentenversicherung, you are routed toward information about the separate DRV refund process.
If your document shows another company pension, the flow helps identify the relevant cash-out or refund process.
VBL vs DRV — what fits your document?
Use this table to understand which process may apply
| Document wording | What it usually means | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| VBL or VBLklassik | Public-sector company pension through VBL. | Start a VBL refund check. |
| VBLextra | A VBL product name that should be checked separately from VBLklassik. | Start with the VBL document and check the correct process. |
| Zusatzversorgung | Public-sector supplementary pension. It may be VBL or another ZVK. | Start with the document name. |
| DRV or Deutsche Rentenversicherung | Germany’s statutory state pension system. | Use the separate DRV refund process or compare company pension vs DRV. |
| Renteninformation or Versicherungsverlauf | Usually a statutory pension record from Deutsche Rentenversicherung. | Check DRV separately from company pensions. |
| bAV, a Direktversicherung, Pensionskasse or provider name | Usually a private-employer company pension / bAV case, not VBL or DRV. | Start a bAV cash-out check. |
Where to go next
Choose the page that matches your document or question.
VBL Pension Refund
For users with VBL or VBLklassik documents from public-sector employment.
Company Pension vs DRV
For users who want the broader explanation of why DRV refunds do not include company pensions.
Company Pension After Leaving Germany
For users who want the broader overview of what can happen to a German company pension after leaving Germany.
Documents guide
For users who want to know which document shows which pension type.
ZVK Refund
For users whose public-sector supplementary pension document says ZVK or Zusatzversorgungskasse.
SEPA bank account guide
For users who no longer have a German bank account or want to understand payment details.
Common questions
VBL stands for Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder.
It manages company pensions for many German public-sector employers, including universities, research institutes, hospitals, local authorities and other public institutions.
A VBL pension is separate from the statutory German pension managed by Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Glossary
Short definitions of VBL and DRV terms.
DRV
Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Germany’s statutory state pension system. A DRV refund is separate from VBL.
VBL
Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder. A public-sector company pension scheme used by many German public-sector and related employers.
VBLklassik
The main VBL occupational pension scheme for many public-sector employees. Contribution reimbursement follows VBL-specific rules.
VBLextra
A separate VBL product name that may appear on some VBL documents. It should be checked separately from VBLklassik.
Zusatzversorgung
German term for supplementary pension provision, often used in public-sector pension documents.
ZVK
Zusatzversorgungskasse. A public-sector supplementary pension fund. ZVK is related in topic to VBL but may be a different scheme.
Employee contributions
Contributions paid from the employee side. VBL contribution reimbursement generally focuses on eligible employee contributions.
Employer contributions
Contributions paid by the employer. In VBLklassik contribution reimbursement, employer-paid amounts are not refunded to the employee.
Important information
- DRV and VBL are separate pension systems. A DRV refund covers statutory German state pension contributions paid into Deutsche Rentenversicherung. VBL is a separate public-sector company pension scheme and is not included in a DRV refund.
- VBL refunds follow VBL-specific rules. For VBLklassik, contribution reimbursement generally focuses on the employee’s own share, while employer-paid amounts are not refunded to the employee.
- CompanyPension uses document names, scheme names and guided questions to route users toward the correct online process. This page provides general information only and does not provide individual legal, pension, tax, insurance or financial advice.
- CompanyPension provides a digital application platform for German company pension cashouts and refunds.
- CompanyPension is not a bank, payment provider, pension advisor, insurance broker, legal representative, tax advisor or financial advisor. Users remain the claimant.
- CompanyPension does not decide whether a cash-out or refund is approved, does not claim funds as a legal representative and does not receive, hold or forward approved pension money.
Have a VBL document and a DRV refund?
Start online with your VBL document, VBLklassik statement or pension letter. CompanyPension guides you through the separate VBL refund check 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