Funeral grant application pension insurance: How to secure your financial transition period
6 Jun 2025
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is emotionally challenging and often financially demanding. The German Pension Insurance provides important financial support with the "Sterbevierteljahr". Find out here how to submit the application correctly and what you are entitled to.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The German Pension Insurance does not pay a traditional funeral allowance but provides the 'Sterbevierteljahr': three months of the deceased's full pension for the surviving partner.
The application for the death quarter year advance must be submitted to the pension service of Deutsche Post AG within thirty days if the deceased was already receiving a pension.
Parallel to the quarter following death, a separate application for a widow's or widower's pension must be submitted to the pension insurance provider.
Understanding the quarter of death: More than just a term
The Deutsche Rentenversicherung does not pay a traditional death grant to cover funeral expenses. Instead, there is what is known as the 'Sterbevierteljahr', a financial bridge for widows and widowers. For the three calendar months following the month of death, the deceased's pension is paid in full. If the deceased was not yet a pensioner, the full disability pension forms the basis for calculation. The surviving person's own income is not taken into account during these three months. This benefit aims to ease the transition into the new financial situation. It is important to know that this advance payment is offset against the later survivor’s pension. Correct application ensures you receive this crucial initial financial aid.
Check eligibility for the bereavement quarter-year
Not everyone automatically qualifies for the bereavement quarter. Certain conditions must be met. A key requirement is that the deceased was insured under the statutory pension insurance. Additionally, the marriage or registered civil partnership must have existed at the time of death and lasted for at least one year. Exceptions to this minimum duration apply, for example, in the case of accidental death. The surviving person must not have remarried and must have their residence or habitual abode in Germany. If you meet these criteria, you are generally entitled to the benefit for the bereavement quarter. Assessing these points is the first step before actually submitting the application.
Navigating the application process for the deceased's quarterly year: Two scenarios
The application process for the bereavement quarter differs depending on whether the deceased was already receiving a pension. If the deceased was already receiving a pension, the Pension Service of Deutsche Post AG is responsible. The advance payment application should be submitted there within thirty days of the death. Many funeral homes offer to handle this application. The following documents are typically required:
The death certificate in original or certified copy.
The applicant's identity card.
The deceased's pension insurance number.
If applicable, the marriage certificate.
The applicant's bank account details.
If the deceased had not yet received a pension, the application for a widow's or widower's pension must be submitted directly to the relevant pension insurance provider. In this case, the pension insurance provider also calculates the bereavement quarter. Submitting all documents early speeds up the processing by several weeks.
Deadlines and Forms: Staying Organised
The most important deadline is the thirty-day deadline for the application for advance payment with the Pension Service of Deutsche Post AG, if the deceased was a pensioner. If this deadline is missed, the claim for the full pension payment for the bereavement quarter is not lost, but the payment will then be made later with the regular survivors' pension. The application form for the advance is available online from the Pension Service of Deutsche Post AG. There are also form packages for the actual application for a widow's or widower's pension with the German Pension Insurance, available online or at advice centres. It is advisable to take care of the application forms early. The processing time can vary between four and twelve weeks, depending on workload and the completeness of the documents.
From the last quarterly death payment to the survivor's pension: The transition
The bereavement quarter is an immediate financial aid for the first three months. In parallel, a formal application for a widow's or widower's pension (survivor's pension) must be submitted to the responsible pension insurance provider. This application is independent of the application for the bereavement quarter. After the bereavement quarter, the widow's or widower's pension is paid, with the survivor's own income then being taken into account. There is a small and a large widow's/widower's pension, the amount of which depends on various factors such as age and reduced earning capacity. The large widow's or widower's pension is usually fifty-five percent of the deceased's pension, and under certain conditions, it can be sixty percent. The small widow's pension is twenty-five percent and is generally limited to twenty-four months. A private funeral expenses insurance can be a sensible addition to cover funeral costs, as statutory provision for this is not included.
Expert tips for the application and beyond
Our Expert Tip: Collect all necessary documents, such as the death certificate, marriage certificate, and the deceased's pension documents, as early as possible. A complete submission significantly speeds up the process. If you have any uncertainties, you can receive free advice from the information and counselling centres of the German Pension Insurance or from municipal insurance offices. Remember that the death quarter can be taxable, as can the subsequent survivor's pension. Consulting with a tax advisor can be beneficial here. To cover the actual funeral costs, which can quickly amount to several thousand euros, private provision through a funeral insurance or a term life insurance policy is recommended, as the statutory pension insurance does not provide benefits for this. Also, inform yourself about the regulations of supplementary pension funds if the deceased had claims there.
Consider additional financial aspects in the event of death
Beyond the death quarter and the survivors' pension, there are other financial aspects to consider. Funeral costs can quickly range from four thousand to ten thousand euros or more. Check if there are private insurances such as a term life insurance or accident insurance with death benefits. Sometimes employers or unions also provide death benefits. The payout of a term life insurance can be an important financial support. Also clarify how long the payout of a life insurance takes. Good preparation for the event of death can relieve many worries for the bereaved. Also inform yourself generally about what the pension insurance provides.
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More useful links
Deutsche Rentenversicherung offers comprehensive information on pensions for survivors.
The Deutsche Rentenversicherung provides a brochure about the survivor's pension as assistance in difficult times.
You can find the R0500 form for applying for a survivor's pension at the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs answers frequently asked questions about the survivor's pension.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes press releases with relevant statistical data, including on pension topics.
The Consumer Advice Centre examines whether funeral insurance is worthwhile.
Wikipedia offers a general overview on the topic of funeral expenses.
Paragraph 46 of the Sixth Book of the Social Code (SGB VI) can be found on gesetze-im-internet.de.
Information on inheritance tax, especially Paragraph 33, is available on the Federal Ministry of Finance website.
FAQ
Does the pension insurance still pay a death grant?
No, the German Pension Insurance no longer pays traditional funeral expenses. Instead, there is the 'Sterbevierteljahr,' where the deceased's pension is continued for three months to the surviving partner.
Who is entitled to the survivor's quarter year?
Surviving spouses or registered civil partners are entitled if the deceased was legally insured for a pension, the partnership lasted at least one year, and the survivor has not remarried and resides in Germany.
Where do I apply for the bereavement quarter?
If the deceased was already a pensioner, apply for the advance payment at the Pension Service of Deutsche Post AG. If the deceased was not yet receiving a pension, submit the application for a survivor's pension directly to the pension insurance provider, who will then calculate the death quarter as well.
Is the application for the bereavement quarter the same as the application for the widow's pension?
No, the application for the death quarter (advance payment) is not the same as the formal application for a widow's or widower's pension. The latter must be submitted separately to the responsible pension insurance provider.
What is the deadline for applying for the bereavement quarter?
The application for an advance payment for the quarter of death should be submitted to the Pension Service of Deutsche Post AG within thirty days of the death of the pension recipient.
What happens after the quarter of bereavement?
After the end of the death quarter, the regular widow's or widower's pension is paid. The survivor's own income is then offset against this.
