Implementation of Pension Rights Equalisation

The Family Court is responsible for implementing the equalisation of pension rights. In principle, §1 VersAusglG provides for the even division of all rights acquired during marriage as a starting point. This law only covers the rights acquired during the marriage because it is viewed that a mutual pension community exists between the spouses during marriage. In accordance with §5(2) VersAusglC, the question of which rights exist and how much these rights equate to during the marriage can only be determined at the end it.

In order to facilitate implementation of pension rights equalisation, both spouses are obliged to provide each other with information on entitlements acquired during the marriage period (§4 VersAusglG). The Pension Equalisation Act generally assumes that an internal division of pension rights has already occured §9(2) VersAusglG. This is only different if an external division has been agreed beforehand or if the pension provider of the person liable for settlement demands an external division.

In the case of internal dividing, the pension institution from which the spouse liable to pay compensation has acquired rights or entitlements is also the pension institution with which half of the internal division takes place. Thus, spouse A is granted the respective compensation claims by the pension institution from which spouse B has acquired rights or entitlements. The competent family court issues instructions to this effect. It should be noted that half of the entitlements may be due to costs incurred by the pension institution for the person entitled to compensation (§13 VersAusglG).

One further factor that is very important in this context, is the fact that the information by the pension institution need to be examined carefully.

Internal pension equalisation is the preferred route for reasons of simplicity. This is because, in the case of a settlement with only one insurance provider, the settlement entitlements do not have to be transferred individually, but are settled. In the case of external splitting of pension rights, on the other hand, equalisation takes place with different insurance providers.

Exceptions

However, there are exceptions where the pension rights are not balanced:

• For a marriage of up to three years: However, this is different if one spouse applies for pension rights  equalisation, §3(3) VersAusglG.
• The spouses have excluded a pension adjustment in a marriage contract: Under §7 VersAusglG, such an agreement must be notarised and, under §8(1) VersAusglG, it must be capable of withstanding a review of its content and exercise.
• In the case of minor settlement values (where the amounts dealt with are of little monetary value and where the difference regarding what is owed is of little amount), §18 VersAusglG.
• If the supply equalisation would be grossly unfair, §27 VersAusglG: this is always an individual case decision which requires legal consideration.

In addition, the pension adjustment can still be adjusted after it has been implemented by the Family Court if maintenance claims exist (§§33, 34 VersAusglG), if the person liable to pay the adjustment becomes disabled (§§35, 36 VersAusglG) or if the person entitled to adjustment dies (§§37, 38 VersAusglG).

German Lawyers in Pension Rights Equalisation

Our Family Law team is led by our leading family lawyer Kerstin Wolters. Our lawyers are widely knowledgeable in the area of family law and have experience in cases involving spousal maintenance, child custody, divorce as well as in pension rights equalisation. On this page we provided a basic outline of what is involved in pension rights equalisation but if you require more information please contact us. Through contacting us directly, our lawyers can provide the counsel, assistance and guidance you need as regards how the law relates to your personal circumstances. With offices in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen and conference rooms in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Stuttgart our lawyers are available at your convenience.

Our firm also appreciates the value of communication and because of this we can offer our services in a range of languages such as English, French, Spanish, Turkish and Portuguese as well as German. Our lawyers provide comprehensive assistance when it comes to breaking down the law, communicating the issues in an understandable manner and in providing excellent support both inside and out of court. If you are looking for assistance in the field of the equalisation of pension rights or in family law in general, make sure to contact Schlun & Elseven.

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