Under certain conditions, Germany grants credit for periods during which no contributions were paid.

Workers who did not pay contributions for war-related reasons may receive deemed credits called “substitute periods.”

For example, workers may receive credit for substitute periods if their compulsory contributions were interrupted due to compulsory military service, war-time captivity, National Socialist persecution, political arrest, internment or deportation, etc.

Workers who did not pay contributions because of special circumstances (usually health or economic conditions) may receive deemed credits called “excused periods.”

For example, workers may receive credit for excused periods if they were unable to work due to illness or accident, pregnancy or university or technical training.

Beginning January 1, 1986, women and, under certain circumstances, men receive credit for child rearing for the first 12 months after the birth of the child. The child must have been raised in Germany. A male worker may claim credit for child rearing if

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  the child's mother died prior to January 1, 1986, or

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  he was primarily responsible for raising the child, according to a mutual statement of both parents.

Child-rearing credits may be granted for periods before or after 1/1/86, but for periods before January 1, 1986 evidence must be submitted.

Individuals who have been officially recognized as “expelled persons” may be entitled to additional credits and rights under the German social security system.

Expelled persons are German citizens or persons of German origin who, because of their German origin and the events of World War II, were expelled from their prior homeland.