The flexi-pension
On 21 October 2016, the Bundestag passed the "Act to make the transition from working life to retirement more flexible and to strengthen prevention and rehabilitation in working life" (Flexirentengesetz). The aim is to make the transition from working life to retirement more flexible and at the same time increase the attractiveness of continuing to work beyond the regular retirement age.
Among other things, recipients of an old-age pension before reaching the standard retirement age are allowed to earn additional income more flexibly. After reaching the standard retirement age, continuing to work has the effect of increasing the pension.
Depending on their year of birth, insured persons are entitled to the standard old-age pension between the ages of 65 and 67.
Effects on the employment relationship
According to the provisions of the TV-L collective agreement, the employment relationship of an employee at Paderborn University ends without notice (= automatically) at the end of the month in which the employee reaches the statutory retirement age.
In accordance with Section 41 sentence 3 SGB VI, the parties to the employment contract can, however, postpone this "automatic" date for termination of the employment relationship by mutual agreement and continue the employment relationship under unchanged conditions - possibly several times. A new employment contract is not necessary for this. Vested rights acquired during employment remain unchanged.
However, a "mutually agreed" arrangement is required, i.e. the area of employment must also agree to the employee's continued employment beyond the deadline.
What do I need to consider if I want to work longer?
If you are considering taking advantage of the "flexi-retirement" options and want to work longer, please proceed as follows:
(Kopie 1)
Step 1 - Pension insurance
Find out about your pension entitlements from your pension insurance company and the VBL and make sure you get thorough personal advice. You can find initial information on the German Pension Insurance or VBL websites, for example.
Personal counselling is available in Paderborn, for example, at:
Rentenberatungsstelle der Deutschen Rentenversicherung,
Kamp 31 in Paderborn
Telephone: 05251 / 1068-0;
Make an appointment: 0521 / 5254-0
You can find the contact details for the VBL here.
Step 2 - Tax implications
It certainly makes sense to consult a tax advisor you trust to clarify what tax deductions you can expect when you retire and whether starting your pension later may be less favourable from a tax point of view.
Step 3 - The superiors
As continued employment can only take place by mutual agreement, please discuss in advance with your superiors to what extent and, if applicable, for how long continued employment will be approved and welcomed. The field itself must also clarify how the measure is to be financed.
Step 4 - The application
Once all this has been clarified by mutual agreement, submit a short, informal application and forward it to the HR department via the official channels. We will be happy to help you with the wording in advance.
Always important to note!
Please note that the postponement of the retirement date must take place while the employment relationship is still ongoing. In order to comply with this requirement, we need your application no later than eight weeks before the regular retirement age.
Further information can be found at