Brochure on survivors’ pension: your comprehensive guide to financial security in the event of bereavement
19.06.25
11
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is emotionally distressing. In addition, financial worries often arise. This brochure on survivors’ pension shows you ways to secure your financial future.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Survivors' pension (e.g. widow's pension, orphan's pension) must be applied for from the German Pension Insurance and is paid retroactively for up to twelve months.
A distinction is made between the small widow’s pension (25 per cent) and the large widow’s pension (55 per cent or 60 per cent), eligibility for which depends on age, child-rearing or reduced earning capacity.
Personal income above an allowance (e.g. EUR 1,038.05 from July 2024) is taken into account at 40% against the survivor’s pension.
Understanding survivors' pension: The basics for the worst-case scenario
The survivor's pension is a benefit of the statutory pension insurance scheme in Germany. It is intended to compensate for the financial shortfall caused by the death of an insured person. Those entitled to claim may include spouses, registered civil partners, children and, in certain circumstances, divorced spouses. A key requirement is often that the deceased had completed a minimum insurance period of five years. This qualifying period may be waived if the death occurred, for example, as the result of an occupational accident. As a rule, the marriage must have lasted at least one year in order to establish an entitlement to a widow's or widower's pension; exceptions to this rule apply in the event of death caused by an accident. There are three main types: the widow's or widower's pension, the orphan's pension and the child-raising pension. Each of these pension types has specific requirements and calculation bases, which we will examine in more detail below. For an initial assessment of your situation, advice on pension insurance may be useful.
The Variety of Survivors’ Pensions: A Detailed Look
Widow's and widower's pension: Small and large pension explained
The widow's or widower's pension is the most common form of survivors' pension. A distinction is made here between the small and the large widow's/widower's pension. The small widow's/widower's pension amounts to 25 per cent of the deceased person's pension. Under the new law, it is paid for a maximum of 24 months if the marriage was entered into after 2001 or both partners were born after 1 January 1962. If the old law applies (marriage before 2002 and one partner born before 2 January 1962), it can be paid without limit.
The large widow's/widower's pension amounts to 55 per cent (new law) or 60 per cent (old law) of the deceased person's pension. Entitlement exists if the surviving spouse reaches certain age thresholds (e.g. 46 years and four months in 2025, rising to 47 years by 2029), is unable to work due to reduced earning capacity, or is bringing up a minor or disabled child. An important form of financial support is the so-called 'death quarter-year': In the first three months after the month of death, the deceased person's pension is paid in full to the surviving partner, without taking their own income into account. This is intended to provide initial financial relief during the difficult time after the loss and is an important aspect of family protection.
Orphan's pension: Support for children and young adults
If a child loses one or both parents, they may receive an orphan's pension. The half-orphan's pension (one parent deceased) amounts to ten per cent, while the full orphan's pension (both parents deceased) amounts to 20 per cent of the deceased parent's pension. As a rule, entitlement exists until the age of 18. An extension up to a maximum age of 27 is possible if the orphan is in school or vocational training, is doing voluntary service, or is unable to support themselves because of a disability. Protecting children in the event of death is a central concern for many parents.
Child-rearing pension: An often overlooked benefit for divorced people
The child-rearing pension is a less well-known form of survivor benefit. It may be available to divorced spouses who are raising a minor child and whose ex-partner has died. Important requirements include, among others, that the marriage was divorced after 30 June 1977, the surviving spouse has not remarried, and they themselves have met the general qualifying period of five years in the statutory pension insurance scheme. The child-rearing pension is calculated from the carer's own insurance record and corresponds in amount to a full disability pension. Many eligible people are not aware of this entitlement, although it can be an important financial support.
Secure your entitlement and calculate your pension: your path to benefits
Applying for benefits: getting the pension process right
Bereaved dependants’ pensions are not paid automatically; an application to the German Pension Insurance is essential. It is advisable to submit the application soon after the death. The pension insurance pays benefits retroactively for up to twelve calendar months before the month of application. Various documents are required for the application, such as the death certificate, marriage certificate and details of your own income. Careful preparation can shorten the time until payment.
Income offsetting: what is left of your pension
Your own income as the surviving dependant can be taken into account against the widow’s, widower’s or child-rearing pension. This happens after the first three months following the death. Forty per cent of net income that exceeds a certain allowance is taken into account. This allowance stood at, for example, EUR 1,038.05 on 1 July 2024 (uniform nationwide). It increases for each child entitled to an orphan’s pension. Countable income includes earned income, replacement income (such as unemployment benefit or sickness benefit), income from assets and also other pensions. For example: if the net income to be considered amounts to EUR 1,500, it is EUR 461.95 above the allowance (as at July 2024). Forty per cent of this amount (EUR 184.78) is offset against the survivor’s pension. The exact calculation can be complex, so an individual review is often worthwhile.
Old law versus new law: which rules apply to you
For widow’s and widower’s pensions, the date of marriage and the partners’ dates of birth are relevant to the application of old or new law. Old law applies if the marriage was concluded before 1 January 2002 and at least one partner was born before 2 January 1962. Otherwise, the new law generally applies, which has been in force since 2002. The differences mainly affect the amount of the large widow’s pension (60 per cent under old law, 55 per cent under new law) and the payment period of the small widow’s pension (unlimited under old law, limited to 24 months under new law). This distinction is also relevant when planning for retirementplanning for retirement.
Expert knowledge and legal nuances on the survivor’s pension
Avoid important deadlines and pitfalls
An important rule concerns short-term marriages. If the marriage lasted less than one year, the pension insurance provider checks whether a so-called “marriage of convenience for pension purposes” existed, entered into primarily for the purpose of securing a pension. In such cases, entitlement may lapse unless the death occurred unexpectedly (e.g. as a result of an accident). If a widower or widow remarries, entitlement to the previous survivors' pension expires. However, there may be an entitlement to a pension settlement as a kind of “starting aid” for the new marriage. In the case of the higher widow's pension, this usually amounts to 24 times the monthly pension. Considerations regarding funeral expense insurance can help cover short-term costs in the event of death.
The following points are particularly important when submitting an application and while receiving benefits:
Timely submission of the application so as not to lose any months of benefits (maximum twelve months retrospectively).
Reporting all relevant income for the correct calculation of the offset.
Informing the pension insurance provider in the event of remarriage or the formation of a new registered civil partnership.
Checking whether the requirements for a switch from the lower to the higher widow's pension are met (e.g. reaching the age threshold, reduced earning capacity).
Observance of the different provisions under the old and new law.
Current rulings and their significance for those affected
Case law on survivors' pensions is constantly evolving. A ruling by the Federal Social Court (case no.: B 5 R 3/23 R), for example, made it clear that tax loss carryforwards do not reduce the income relevant for pension calculation. [6,] It is the income actually available that counts. In individual cases, this can lead to repayment claims if income has previously been assessed differently. It is therefore important to stay informed about current developments. The preparations for the event of death should also include a review of the current legal situation.
Our expert tip: Early advice and planning
The rules on survivors' pensions are complex and depend on many individual factors. Early and comprehensive information is crucial in order to be financially secure in an emergency. Clarify your entitlements and take possible gaps in provision into account in your personal planning. The German pension insurance scheme offers free brochures and advice on this. We at nextsure are also happy to help you analyse your situation and find suitable solutions for your survivors' cover. A careful review of the application for death benefit is also an important step.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific recommendations for improvement.
More useful links
German Pension Insurance offers comprehensive statistics and reports on statutory pension insurance.
German Pension Insurance provides general information on pension types and benefits for surviving dependants.
German Pension Insurance offers a helpful brochure on survivors' pensions to provide support in difficult times.
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) provides information on survivors' pensions within the statutory pension insurance scheme.
Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) explains the function and significance of survivors' pensions in the context of pension policy.
Consumer Advice Centre offers consumer information and guidance on various aspects of pension provision.
FAQ
What requirements apply for the survivor's pension?
The basic requirements are usually at least one year of marriage/civil partnership and the deceased having fulfilled the minimum insurance period (five years). Specific conditions apply to widow’s/widower’s pension, orphan’s pension and child-rearing pension.
Do I need to apply for the survivors' pension?
Yes, all survivor’s pensions must be applied for with the German Pension Insurance. They are not paid automatically.
What is the difference between the small and large widow’s pension?
The small widow's pension amounts to 25 per cent of the deceased's pension and is often limited in time. The large widow's pension amounts to 55 per cent (or 60 per cent under old law) and requires older age, child-rearing or reduced earning capacity.
How high is the allowance for income assessment?
The allowance is adjusted annually. As of 1 July 2024, it was €1,038.05 nationwide. Income above this is taken into account at 40 per cent.
What happens to the widow's pension on remarriage?
In the event of remarriage, entitlement to a widow’s or widower’s pension lapses. However, there may be entitlement to a one-off pension settlement.
Where can I find a brochure about the survivor's pension?
The German Pension Insurance provides free brochures such as “Survivors’ pension: support in difficult times”, which offer detailed information.
