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Mandatory membership

Upon receiving their license to practice, young veterinarians and physicians automatically become members of the Saxon State Medical Association or the Saxon State Veterinary Association. As a result, they are generally also mandatory members of the Saxon Medical Pension Fund. This membership forms the basis for a reliable, solidarity-based pension system for all practicing veterinarians and physicians in the Free State of Saxony. Mandatory membership creates a stable foundation that not only ensures individual financial security but also strengthens the long-term viability of the entire healthcare system.

In this way, all members benefit from comprehensive, practice-oriented coverage - based on a principle of solidarity that sustainably supports the success of the medical pension system.

Grounds for exemption

Members of the Chamber who, as civil servants, are entitled to a pension and survivor’s benefits under civil service law.

Members of the Chamber who, as soldiers, are entitled to a pension and survivor’s benefits under the provisions of military law.

Members of the Association who take up medical or veterinary practice to fulfill their military service obligations, as part of voluntary military training, or to perform civilian service within the scope of these bylaws.

Members of the association who do not practice medicine or veterinary medicine.

Members of the Medical Association whose mandatory membership in the Saxon Medical Pension Fund began on or after December 31, 2024, and who have already reached the age of 62.

Your transition to the new pension fund - with expert guidance

Switching from another pension plan may seem complicated - but we’ll guide you through every step of the process. Learn everything you need to know about transferring your contributions so that your pension plan continues seamlessly and you can look to the future with peace of mind.

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Fill it out now: The Transfer Form

With our transfer form, you can make the switch simple and efficient. No long waits - just enter the required information, and we’ll take care of the rest for you. Get started now and see how easy the transition can be.

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Enrolment in the SÄV & E-Exemption

Change of Pension Plan & Contribution Types

For life's ups and downs – SÄV benefits

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Frequently Asked Questions About Membership in General

If I take up a job outside my profession (not as a doctor or vet) and become a compulsory member of the DRV, do I still have to continue paying into the SÄV?

Compulsory members of the Saxon State Veterinary and Medical Association are compulsory members of the Saxon Medical Pension Fund. 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 Saxon Medical Pension Fund 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.)

Is it possible to be exempted from membership?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Pension Plans

I practise medicine/veterinary medicine in two federal states. Where am I insured?

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.

What should I bear in mind when switching from one pension scheme to another?
  • 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.
When switching pension schemes, is it advisable to have the contributions paid transferred to the new scheme?

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.