It may also be possible to collect your retirement in the US, Canada or other countries from Germany once you reach age 65. British citizens have different options, given both countries are EU member states. According to the Deutsche Rentenversicvherung Bund, you are not eligible for a full payout if you are still required to pay social security taxes into another EU state's system, i.e., Great Britain. If, however, you made contributions for less than five years, you are eligible for a full payout upon reaching age 65. Otherwise, it seems another possibility is to combine your British and German social security payments upon reaching retirement age.