Under the German Law for the Payment of Pensions for Periods of Employment in a Ghetto,
commonly known by the German acronym “ZRBG” or as the German “Ghetto Pension” Law,
victims of Nazi persecution may receive credit toward a pension under the German social
insurance system if they performed non-forced work during their confinement in a ghetto
during World War II.
To receive credit toward a “Ghetto Pension” under the ZRBG, an individual must meet
the following conditions:
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status as a victim of Nazi persecution;
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•
forced residence in a ghetto in a territory that was in an area within the national
socialist (Nazi) sphere of influence; and
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•
work performed for remuneration while living in the ghetto.
The German statutory pension insurance agency, the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, processes the pension applications for “Ghetto Pensions” under the ZRBG. In addition
to a monthly old age pension, applicants may receive a lump sum payment representing
retroactive benefits deemed to have accrued prior to the commencement of the pension
payments.