I'm an American and have been working in Germany for the past few years, first in a company and now as a Beamter (government employee). I am planning to move back to the U.S., and had a question about Social Security.

By the time I move, I do not believe I will qualify for any sort of German pension however small (roughly 2 years in industry & 2 years as Beamter, which I've also heard have different pension systems). I have heard people say many times that the U.S. and Germany have an agreement where time working in one country is recognized by the other country's social security system (https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/germany.html).

Do you know how this works? (And does the Beamter distinction change anything? In Germany, I have a smaller salary as a Beamter, but also pay slightly different German taxes.)

Before I leave Germany, need I acquire some sort of paperwork (and presumably a stamp) proving my employment record, or are these things already known by the U.S. Social Security Administration? I would much rather take care of these things while I am here; I can only imagine it being much more difficult by phone or by post.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have!