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Apply for a contribution subsidy from the agricultural pension fund

Service Description

For smaller agricultural and horticultural businesses, but also for young companies in the start-up phase, contributions to the pension fund can be a financial burden. This is where the contribution subsidy from the pension fund can help.

The contribution subsidy reduces

  • your contributions as a farmer,
  • those of your spouse or civil partner
  • and those of family members who work full-time on your farm, without reducing your future pension.

You must apply for the subsidy. In order to receive the subsidy, you must meet certain requirements.

The following are eligible to apply

  • Farmers and their spouses
  • their spouses or life partners.

The basis for entitlement to a contribution subsidy is

  • the farmer's annual income and
  • the annual income of their spouses or partners who are not permanently separated.

The amount of the contribution subsidy depends on

  • the amount of the contribution to be paid and
  • the calculated annual income.

Up to an annual income of 30 percent of the social security reference figure for the year in question, the subsidy amounts to 60 percent of the contribution. Thereafter, the contribution subsidy decreases linearly depending on the annual income.

The agricultural and forestry income is to be taken from the last income tax assessment issued by the tax office.

This applies

  • if an income tax assessment notice has been issued for one of the last 4 calendar years

for businesses whose

  • taxable profit is determined in accordance with the requirements for book-keeping companies or
  • whose profit is estimated by the competent tax authority.

Otherwise, the earned income from agriculture and forestry is derived from the so-called economic value of your farm. The Landwirtschaftliche Alterskasse will carry out this calculation for you.

The contribution subsidy ends as soon as the conditions are no longer met. You must therefore always report any changes in income immediately.

Process flow

You can apply for the contribution subsidy in writing, in person, by telephone or online. In order to meet the deadline, you can initially submit the application for exemption informally, for example by telephone.

Written application:

  • Download the application form from the website of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture.
  • Complete the form in full and compile the required documents.
  • Send your completed and signed application with the required documents by post to the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture

Apply online:

  • If necessary, register on the service portal of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture. When you register, you will receive your personal access data by post.
  • Go to the service portal of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture and log in there.
  • Fill in the web form and upload the necessary documents via the mailbox function. Once your details have been confirmed, your data will be transmitted online to the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture.

Apply in person during the consultation:

  • Compile the documents required for the application
  • Make an appointment with the Agricultural Pension Fund or an advice center of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG).

Application by telephone:

  • Call the service number of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture and ask to be put through to the person responsible for processing your application.
  • You will receive the form required for the complete application by post or electronically.

At the end of the process, you will receive notification of your contribution subsidy.

Please note: A person you trust can also submit your subsidy application on your behalf. Please submit a corresponding power of attorney to your agricultural pension fund. As long as the power of attorney is valid, your Landwirtschaftliche Alterskasse will only contact your authorized person.

Requirements

As a farmer or spouse of a farmer, you are subject to compulsory insurance with the Agricultural Pension Fund. You have received notification of this.

You can apply for a contribution subsidy for your contribution and for the contribution for family members working with you if:

  • Your annual income does not exceed 60 percent of the reference value for social insurance in the respective year.
    • The annual income is calculated from
      • the annual income of the farmer and
      • the annual income of spouses or partners who are not permanently separated from them.
    • Half of the income is attributed to the spouses. The same applies to civil partners.
    • The total income in a marriage may not exceed twice the above-mentioned limit.
    • All types of income under income tax law and income in lieu of income, such as pensions or sick pay, are taken into account.

Which documents are required?

  • Application for contribution subsidy
  • most recent income tax assessment notice from the last 4 calendar years or
  • written proof of income earned in the calendar year before last.

Please refer to the application form to find out which documents are required in your case.

  • if the application is made by another person:
    • Power of attorney or
    • Order of the court

What are the fees?

No fees are charged for processing the application.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

The contribution subsidy begins in the calendar month in which the requirements are met if you submit the application within 3 months.

If you submit the application later, the contribution subsidy will start at the earliest from the calendar month in which you submit the application.

If it has been established that you are liable to pay contributions in the past, the period begins when you are notified of the decision on your liability to pay contributions.

Processing duration

Processing Time: 2 Weeks
Once all the necessary documents have been submitted, the Agricultural Pension Fund usually makes a decision within 2 weeks.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • An objection can be lodged against the contribution subsidy decision within one month (3 months abroad) of its notification.
  • If the appeal is unsuccessful, there is the option of taking legal action before the social court.

Appeal

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance required: Yes

Online services available: Yes

What else should I know?

The following instructions apply:

First of all, the application can also be informal in order to meet the deadline.

Further Information

Author

Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG)

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)

Professionally released on

14.12.2022

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Start your request directly online:

Competent Authority

Sozialversicherung für Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Gartenbau (SVLFG)

Address
Weißensteinstraße 70-72
34131 Kassel, documenta-Stadt

Postal address
34105 Kassel, documenta-Stadt
Telephone
+49 561 785-0
Remark: Call times: Monday 08:00 16:00 Tuesday 08:00 16:00 Wednesday 08:00 16:00 Thursday 08:00 16:00 Friday 08:00 13:00 and by appointment
Fax
+49 561 785219006
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG)
DE-Mail
poststelle@svlfg.de-mail.de
Opening times

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 13:00
and by appointment

Further Authorities