Compulsory members of the Saxon State Veterinary and Medical Association are compulsory members of the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung. Even if you are not practising as a doctor or vet, you are therefore required to pay contributions (half the minimum contribution). Under certain conditions, it is possible to pay contributions to the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung from income derived from non-professional activities, or to apply for exemption from compulsory membership. (It should be noted that an exemption results in restrictions on insurance cover. Pension benefits will then only be granted on the basis of the contributions paid up to that point. In particular, no fictitious contributions will be added up to the age of 62 in the event of early occupational disability or for the calculation of survivors’ pension benefits. Furthermore, there is no entitlement to an early retirement pension.)
Exemption from compulsory membership of the SÄV is only possible under certain conditions. These are as follows:
- if you are a civil servant practising as a veterinary surgeon or doctor, or if you are a member of the German Armed Forces,
- if you are not practising your profession as a doctor or veterinary surgeon, or
- if you had already reached the age of 62 at the time of your admission to the Saxon Veterinary or Medical Association.
Important: If these grounds for exemption no longer apply and all conditions are met, the obligation to be a member and to pay contributions applies once again.
If, as a result of practising several professions simultaneously in different federal states, you are a member of several state medical associations or state veterinary associations, this constitutes dual membership. To avoid membership and therefore the payment of contributions to several pension schemes at the same time, all contributions can be settled through a single pension scheme. Which pension scheme is responsible for you and from which you can be exempted from compulsory membership depends on various factors. We would be happy to advise you on this.
- Voluntary continuation of your existing membership or a refund of contributions already paid is only possible under certain conditions and, in most cases, only to a limited extent.
- Periods of cover from a previous insurance scheme are generally recognised by the participating pension schemes or social security systems. This is particularly relevant for qualifying periods, which are a prerequisite for entitlement to benefits in many countries.
- If you have been a member of several pension schemes or systems during your working life, you will receive partial pensions from the respective institutions upon retirement – in accordance with the regulations applicable there and based on your contribution periods or periods of residence.
A pension transfer allows contributions to be consolidated so that future pension entitlements are, where possible, not spread across multiple pension schemes. From a financial perspective, it is not possible to provide general advice or recommendations, as different pension schemes use different methods to calculate accrued entitlements and pursue different investment strategies.
You can find our current contribution rates on the your contributions page.
When you first start working as a self-employed person, you can set your own contribution level for the first two calendar years. As soon as the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung is notified that you have started practising, you will receive a form for self-assessment. However, you are also welcome to submit an informal request. Please note that the contribution you choose must be at least equal to the minimum contribution.
Yes. You have two options. You can keep your reduced contribution and increase your pension entitlement by making voluntary additional payments. This gives you greater flexibility. However, you also have the option of adjusting your chosen mandatory contribution to suit your needs within these two calendar years. Please feel free to contact us about this.
No. Your current income cannot be used as the basis for calculating a contribution reduction. In accordance with the Articles of Association, a contribution reduction is granted only on the basis of the proven income from self-employment for the year before last. Acceptable forms of proof include your tax assessment notice or a confirmation from your tax adviser.
Contributions are always due at the end of the month. Advance payment is not permitted. Pension accrual only takes place once the payment has been offset against the compulsory contributions or voluntary additional payments, and not at the time of payment. (See the SÄV Articles of Association)
For self-employed members, parental leave is exempt from contributions provided no income is derived from self-employment. To this end, proof must be submitted by the KVS or a tax adviser. Contribution-free parental leave is available until the child reaches the age of three at the latest.
For employed members, parental leave is also contribution-free as long as they are not practising medicine or veterinary medicine. This is reported electronically via your employer. Parental leave can be split up until the child reaches the age of 8, subject to an application to the employer.
You are considered to be occupationally incapacitated if, for health reasons, you are no longer able to carry out any gainful employment within the entire field of medicine or veterinary medicine. The decisive factor here is not the specific role you last held, but your general ability to work in the medical sector. To be eligible for an occupational disability pension, you must be completely unable to work – partial incapacity for work is not provided for in the statutes of the Saxon Medical Pension Fund.
As the documents submitted rarely provide sufficient evidence of occupational disability, the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung usually commissions a relevant specialist to carry out an assessment to determine whether occupational disability exists. The costs of the assessment are covered by the Saxon Medical Pension Fund. Once the report is available, the Saxon Medical Pension Fund reviews it and decides whether occupational disability exists within the meaning of the Saxon Medical Pension Fund’s statutes.
The application must be submitted in writing. The relevant form is available on the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung website.
To apply for a disability pension, please submit the form ‘Application for a Disability Pension’, completed by the member or an authorised representative. In addition, the application must be accompanied by up-to-date medical documents (e.g. medical reports, discharge summaries or existing expert opinions) which clearly indicate the diagnosed health conditions on the basis of which the occupational disability is being claimed, as well as any treatment already undertaken.
Payments can begin no earlier than the date on which the application for an occupational disability pension is received. Temporary occupational disability is recognised for a fixed period; an application for an extension may be submitted before this period expires. In the case of permanent occupational disability, the payment is converted into a mandatory old-age pension upon reaching the standard retirement age.
If incapacity for work occurs within the first five years following graduation, the annual amount of the pension payable shall be at least 45% of the pension assessment base.
The amount of the disability pension depends, in principle, on the level of entitlement accrued through contribution payments. Depending on the member’s age at the time the disability arises, the pension amount may be reduced or increased.
Members who are unable to work and who are receiving a disability pension have the option of undertaking a ‘supported’ work trial. Under this scheme, the disability pension may continue to be paid for up to six calendar months if a work trial is undertaken.
It is not permitted to practise as a doctor or vet whilst receiving a disability pension.
The application must be submitted in writing. The relevant form is available on the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung website.
To apply for the grant, please submit the form ‘Application for a Voluntary Grant for Rehabilitation Measures’, completed by the member or an authorised representative, the form ‘Medical Report on the Application for a Voluntary Grant for Rehabilitation Measures’, completed by the attending doctor, current medical treatment reports providing evidence of the stated health condition, any existing rejection notices or letters from other potential funding bodies, and a cost estimate for the planned medical rehabilitation measure.
The application must be submitted to the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung in good time before the rehabilitation treatment takes place.
The cost-sharing scheme covers both outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation measures. Medical aids and vocational support measures are not subsidised.
The Sächsische Ärzteversorgung determines the contribution to costs and the amount thereof at its discretion, taking into account all the circumstances of the individual case, in particular the member’s payment history and the trend in contributions.
The old-age pension increases by 0.6 per cent for each full calendar month between the standard retirement age and the date on which the old-age pension is granted. The deferred old-age pension must be claimed no later than the first day of the month following the month in which the person reaches the age of 70. The application must be received by the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung before the desired start date of the pension.
If the early retirement pension is claimed, the pension is reduced by 0.4% for each full calendar month during which the pension is received prior to the first day of the month following the month in which the standard retirement age is reached. This reduction continues to apply once the standard retirement age is reached.
Last year, the Extended Chamber Assembly resolved at its meeting to index-link pension benefits by 4.5 per cent with effect from 1 January 2026. An index-linked adjustment was also implemented the year before. The 39th Extended Chamber Assembly resolved on 12 June 2026 to index-link current pension benefits by 5 per cent with effect from 1 January 2027. You can find this news directly on our homepage under ‘Latest News’.
The Articles of Association do not provide for a partial pension. In the past, the board members have already considered this issue in detail and concluded that there is currently no need to introduce a partial pension. Alternatively, the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung offers the option of claiming an early retirement pension from the age of 62, with a monthly reduction of 0.4% for each month taken early, whilst continuing to work. Upon claiming the early retirement pension, the obligation to pay contributions (pension insurance contributions) ceases, and any income will not be taken into account when calculating your pension with the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung.
Any work you undertake – whether in the medical or veterinary field or in another profession – will no longer affect your retirement pension once you start receiving it. Furthermore, there are no limits on additional income under the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung. The situation is different under the German Pension Insurance Scheme; please contact your relevant pension provider for further information.
See also: Retirement & continuing to work
The application for the regular old-age pension must be submitted no later than three months after reaching the standard retirement age. For example, if you reach the standard retirement age on 10 February 2026, you may submit your application by 9 May 2026 in order to receive the compulsory old-age pension retroactively from 1 March 2026.
No, your obligation to make contributions to the Saxon Medical Pension Fund ends when you reach the standard retirement age or when you are granted early retirement benefits. You will then no longer be required or able to make further contributions. Our Articles of Association do not provide for any subsequent increase in pension benefits through further contributions.
In 2008, the Extended General Assembly of the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung decided to gradually raise the standard retirement age to 67. The basis for raising the standard retirement age was the actuarial report, which reviews the calculation basis for benefit entitlement on an annual basis. This took into account future demographic trends among SÄV members in relation to existing and future benefit obligations.
Notwithstanding the provisions of statutory and private pension insurance, the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung, as a solidarity-based community, is independently responsible for its financial development and thus for ensuring the fulfilment of its pension provision mandate. The increase in the standard retirement age does not therefore coincide with the increase in the German Pension Insurance scheme, as the increase there is based on a different legal framework.
For members born between 1957 and 1963 who, in addition to pension entitlements with the pension scheme, also have entitlements with the German Pension Insurance scheme, this results in different retirement dates.
Members generally have a choice of three different schemes.
1. Mandatory old-age pension. Under the ‘standard’ option, the old-age pension is paid from the standard retirement age.
2. Early retirement pension. From the age of 62, SÄV members can apply for an early retirement pension – the start date can be chosen individually, between the age of 62 and the standard retirement age.
3. Deferred retirement pension. Those who wish to remain in employment for longer may, upon application, defer receipt of their pension until they reach the age of 70 at the latest.
For members born in 1950 or later, the current standard retirement age of 65 will be raised in stages. The increase will take place in two-month increments, depending on the year of birth: members born in 1950 will therefore receive their standard old-age pension at the age of 65 years and two months, whilst for those born in 1951 it will be 65 years and four months. The maximum standard retirement age of 67 will then apply to all those born from 1961 onwards.
To be eligible for a widow’s or widower’s pension, the marriage must have been in force until the death of the pension scheme member. The marriage must not have taken place after the member became permanently incapacitated for work or after the start of payments of the (early) old-age pension. The widow’s or widower’s pension is paid by the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung, regardless of any other income received by the surviving spouse.
A child allowance in the event of occupational disability may be granted for the duration of your occupational disability if the child:
- has not yet reached the age of 21, or
- is in training, studying, or undertaking voluntary service, or
- is permanently unable to work.
In the special cases mentioned, an extension up to the age of 27 is possible.
To ensure that payments continue without interruption, all necessary evidence regarding education or incapacity to work, as well as regarding your own occupational disability, must be submitted to the pension fund regularly by the 10th of the current month.
Orphan's benefit may be paid for children who have not yet reached the age of 21, or who are still in education or training (university studies, vocational training, voluntary service), or who are themselves unable to work. In the latter cases, the upper age limit is 27 years of age.
Appropriate evidence of education (or inability to work) must be submitted regularly by the 10th of the current month to ensure uninterrupted payment.
As long as the pension entitlement has not yet arisen, the reduction in pension entitlements resulting from the pension rights equalisation can be wholly or partially offset by paying a lump sum (known as a ‘replenishment payment’) to the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung.
The Articles of Association of the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung stipulate that an internal division must take place. This enables the spouses to share equally in the pension entitlements accrued during the marriage. The court therefore, by its final decision, transfers half of the pension entitlements accrued during the marriage with the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung to the former spouse. The former spouse thereby receives their own pension entitlement with the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung without becoming a member as a result of this transfer.
It is not possible to transfer pension entitlements from other pension providers to the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung by way of an external division.
The period of marriage relevant for the equalisation of pension rights begins on the first day of the month in which the marriage was contracted and ends on the last day of the month preceding the service of the petition for divorce.
In certain special cases, the pension rights equalisation may be adjusted after the order has become final. For example, an adjustment is possible if the spouse liable for equalisation receives a disability pension or pays maintenance to the spouse entitled to equalisation, and the latter is not yet able to receive benefits from the pension entitlements acquired through the pension rights equalisation. Furthermore, an adjustment is possible if the spouse entitled to the pension rights equalisation dies and has themselves received a pension from the pension rights acquired through the pension rights equalisation for a maximum of 36 months.
For self-employed members, parental leave is exempt from contributions provided no income is derived from self-employment. To this end, proof must be submitted by the KVS or a tax adviser. Contribution-free parental leave is available until the child reaches the age of three at the latest.
For employed members, parental leave is also contribution-free as long as they are not practising medicine or veterinary medicine. This is reported electronically via your employer. Parental leave can be split up until the child reaches the age of 8, subject to an application to the employer.
Parental leave is available without the need to pay contributions, provided you can provide proof, but only until the child reaches the age of three.
Self-employed members should please submit their birth certificate and a confirmation from their health insurance provider regarding parental leave as proof.
This is no longer necessary for employed members.
In principle, Sächsische Ärzteversorgung does not focus on individual issues such as climate change and, in particular, CO2, but always takes a holistic view of E, S and G. Nevertheless, the need to reduce CO2 emissions is always factored into the assessment of opportunities and risks. To this end, we examine whether clear decarbonisation targets have been formulated (e.g. commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement) and whether strategies for reducing CO2 have been developed. Standardised procedures for calculating a carbon footprint are largely still at the development stage, and measurement methods exhibit systematic weaknesses, particularly regarding the attribution of CO2 consumption. Consequently, the pension fund does not use a carbon footprint as a management tool for its overall investment portfolio.
Particularly where it has its own scope for control – which is especially the case with SÄV’s own properties – Sächsische Ärzteversorgung responds by conducting a comprehensive data collection on resource consumption and, in a subsequent step, by adjusting this consumption to consistently save resources and thereby reduce its own carbon footprint in the long term. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, with its Scope model, is applied in this process.
Exclusion criteria determine which investments are excluded from a portfolio. They serve to minimise risks to performance and usually relate to specific business sectors or practices.
For direct investments, for example, Sächsische Ärzteversorgung excludes manufacturers of controversial weapons, civilian firearms, tobacco companies and producers of pornographic content. In addition, companies are excluded if they demonstrably derive a high proportion of their turnover from controversial extraction methods such as oil sands or fracking.
Not all potentially risky sectors are excluded across the board. For instance, Sächsische Ärzteversorgung also invests in fossil fuel companies if they are actively transitioning to renewable energy. As an investor, the pension fund can support this transition through the exercise of voting rights and dialogue.
The definition of exclusion criteria is complex and not always clear from an ESG perspective. Therefore, sustainability aspects are carefully assessed for every new investment and incorporated into the investment process.
Sustainability is more than that. It is more than just measuring a CO2 footprint, more than non-discriminatory recruitment processes, and more than transparent administration. The term ‘ESG’ combines three perspectives on sustainability standards and has established itself globally as a framework for categorising sustainability measures. The ‘E’ stands for ‘Environment’ and covers all environmental issues, from greenhouse gas emissions to energy efficiency. “Social” (S), on the other hand, refers to social aspects such as the health and safety of the company’s own employees, demographic change or equality. All aspects of exemplary corporate governance with appropriate supervisory structures are subsumed under the term “Governance” (G). Issues such as corruption, risk and reputation management or compliance are examples of this.
The term ‘green investments’ is often understood to refer to investments with an environmental focus, such as renewable energy. For reasons of risk diversification, the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung does not focus on thematic investments. Indirectly, however, investments are made via bonds and shares in companies that can be classified within the renewable energy sector. In particular, in the area of infrastructure investments, the appointed managers have included such investments in their portfolios. These include, for example, investments in solar and wind farms, as well as companies specialising in hydrogen technology.
To do this, you will need to contact your current health insurance provider to find out the conditions under which you can switch to the statutory health insurance scheme.
Questions regarding the obligation to pay contributions and the amount of health insurance and long-term care insurance contributions to be paid should generally be directed to the relevant health insurance fund, as the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung merely collects contributions from insured persons. The amount varies depending on the health insurance fund and the applicable supplementary contribution. Similarly, the long-term care insurance contribution depends on parental status and the year of birth.
To find out the answer to this question, please contact the German Pension Insurance (DRV), the body responsible for your pension. Provided you have met the 90 per cent rule, you can join the Pensioners’ Health Insurance Scheme (KVdR) and thus receive a health insurance subsidy from the DRV.
In general, the statutes of the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung do not provide for any contribution towards health and long-term care insurance – for either state or privately insured pensioners – as this contribution is reserved solely for pensions paid by the German Pension Insurance Fund. The Sächsische Ärzteversorgung and the statutory pension insurance scheme are separate systems, and the contribution is a benefit provided by the German Pension Insurance Fund for its own pensioners. The subsidy is funded entirely from tax revenue and, as the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung operates independently of federal subsidies, no subsidy can be granted.
No, although voluntary additional payments are possible, they serve to increase your accrued pension entitlement. If you opt for early retirement, you should expect a monthly reduction of 0.4%.
The annual ceiling is either the general annual maximum contribution or your personal contribution limit. The difference between your mandatory contributions and your upper contribution limit represents the maximum amount you can pay in as voluntary additional contributions.
The personal contribution limit applies starting January 1 of the calendar year following your 55th birthday. The total contribution amount from the preceding five years is compared to the sum of the maximum limits (general annual maximum contribution) and gives your personal contribution limit as a percentage. This percentage is then applied annually to the applicable general annual maximum contribution, thereby calculating your personal contribution limit in euros for the year in question.
Yes – all payments received in your contribution account between 1 January and 31 December of the relevant calendar year are shown. In addition to compulsory contributions, this also includes voluntary additional payments or back payments for previous periods.
The payment receipt is NOT suitable for confirming to the tax office the contributions passed on to the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung, including the employer’s contribution, as the total contribution amount shown may also include contributions from other social security providers. Therefore, only the electronic income tax statement issued by the employer should be submitted to the tax office.
There are often overlaps at the turn of the year. If your employer does not receive payment for contributions reported in December (monthly contributions, back payments, offsets) until January of the following year, these will only be shown on the subsequent payment statement.