German pensions for work in ghettos
Did you live and voluntarily work in a ghetto during World War II? Were you forced to live abroad due to persecution prior to December 31, 1949? If so, you may be eligible for a German pension.
In June 2002, the German parliament passed a law deeming periods of voluntary work in a ghetto during World War II to be periods of contribution to the German pension system, provided certain conditions are met.
These periods can be used to qualify for a German old age or survivor's ‘ghetto’ pension under the German ZRBG legislation (Zahlbarmachung von Renten aus Beschäftigungen in einem Ghetto).
If you think you may be eligible for a pension and have not yet applied, please contact us.
You should apply only if
- You are 65 years of age or older
- You lived in a territory in the National Socialist sphere of influence
- You voluntarily worked
- You were compensated in some form for your work, or
- You lived abroad after age 14 and prior to December 31st, 1949 due to persecution
If you are the spouse of a person who is deceased, but who met the conditions described above, you may be eligible for a German survivor's pension and should apply as well.
Contact us
Canada and the United States
Telephone toll-free: 1-800-277-9914
TTY: 1-800-255-4786
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time, Monday to Friday
Outside Canada and the United States
Telephone: 1-613-957-1954 (Call collect)
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern time, Monday to Friday
International Operations
Service Canada
P.O. Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6