Brochure Survivor's Pension: Your Comprehensive Guide to Financial Security in Case of Bereavement
19 Jun 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is emotionally distressing. Additionally, financial worries often arise. This brochure on survivor’s pension offers you ways to secure yourself.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The survivor's pension (e.g. widow's pension, orphan's pension) must be applied for at the German Pension Insurance and is paid retroactively for up to twelve months.
A distinction is made between the small (25 percent) and large widow's pension (55 percent or 60 percent), which depend on age, child-rearing or disability.
Own income exceeding an allowance (e.g., 1,038.05 euros from July 2024) is offset against the survivor's pension at a rate of 40 percent.
Understanding Survivors' Pensions: The Basics for Emergencies
The survivor's pension is a benefit of the statutory pension insurance in Germany. It is intended to compensate for the financial loss that arises from the death of an insured person. Those entitled can be spouses, registered civil partners, children, and sometimes divorced spouses. A key requirement is often that the deceased fulfilled a minimum insurance period of five years. This waiting period can be waived if the death, for example, occurred due to a work accident. The duration of the marriage must generally have been at least one year to establish entitlement to a widow's or widower's pension, although exceptions confirm this rule in cases of accidental death. There are three main types: widow's or widower's pension, orphan's pension, and parenting pension. Each of these types of pension has specific requirements and calculation bases, which we examine in more detail below. For an initial assessment of your situation, pension insurance advice might be advisable.
The Variety of Survivors' Pensions: A Detailed Look
Widow's and Widower's Pension: Explained
The widow's or widower's pension is the most common form of survivor's pension. Here, there is a distinction between the small and large widow's/widower's pension. The small widow's/widower's pension amounts to 25 per cent of the deceased's pension. Under new legislation, it is paid for a maximum of 24 months if the marriage was concluded after 2001 or both partners were born after 1 January 1962. In cases of old legislation (marriage before 2002 and one partner born before 2 January 1962), it can be paid indefinitely.
The large widow's/widower's pension amounts to 55 per cent (new legislation) or 60 per cent (old legislation) of the deceased's pension. Entitlement exists if the survivor reaches certain age limits (e.g. 46 years and four months in 2025, rising to 47 years by 2029), is incapacitated or is raising a minor or disabled child. An important financial support is the so-called “death quartet”: In the first three months after the month of death, the deceased's pension is paid in full to the surviving partner without deducting own income. This is intended to provide initial financial relief during the difficult time after the loss and is an important aspect of family security.
Orphan's Pension: Support for Children and Young Adults
If a child loses one or both parents, they can 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. Entitlement generally exists until the age of 18. An extension up to a maximum of 27 years is possible if the orphan is in school or vocational training, performs voluntary service or cannot care for themselves due to a disability. The protection of children in the event of death is a central concern for many parents.
Parental Pension: An Often Overlooked Benefit for Divorced Individuals
The parental pension is a lesser-known form of survivor benefit. It may be available to divorced spouses raising a minor child whose ex-partner has died. Important requirements include the marriage having been dissolved after 30 June 1977, the survivor not having remarried, and having fulfilled the general waiting period of five years in the pension insurance. The parental pension is calculated from the childcare provider's own insurance account and corresponds in amount to a pension due to full incapacity. Many eligible individuals are unaware of this entitlement, despite it being an important financial support.
Secure your claim and calculate your pension: Your path to benefits
Antragsstellung: Den Weg zur Rente richtig gehen
Hinterbliebenenrenten werden nicht automatisch gezahlt, ein Antrag bei der Deutschen Rentenversicherung ist zwingend erforderlich. Es ist ratsam, den Antrag zeitnah nach dem Todesfall zu stellen. Die Rentenversicherung zahlt Leistungen rückwirkend für bis zu zwölf Kalendermonate vor dem Antragsmonat. Für den Antrag werden verschiedene Unterlagen benötigt, wie die Sterbeurkunde, Heiratsurkunde und Angaben zu eigenen Einkünften. Eine sorgfältige Vorbereitung kann die Dauer bis zur Auszahlung verkürzen.
Einkommensanrechnung: Was von Ihrer Rente übrig bleibt
Eigenes Einkommen des Hinterbliebenen kann auf die Witwen-, Witwer- oder Erziehungsrente angerechnet werden. Dies geschieht nach Ablauf des Sterbevierteljahres. Angerechnet werden 40 Prozent des Nettoeinkommens, das einen bestimmten Freibetrag übersteigt. Dieser Freibetrag lag beispielsweise zum ersten Juli 2024 bei 1.038,05 Euro (bundeseinheitlich). Er erhöht sich für jedes waisenrentenberechtigte Kind. Zu den anrechenbaren Einkünften zählen Erwerbseinkommen, Erwerbsersatzeinkommen (wie Arbeitslosengeld oder Krankengeld), Vermögenseinkünfte und auch andere Renten. Ein Beispiel: Beträgt das zu berücksichtigende Nettoeinkommen 1.500 Euro, liegt es um 461,95 Euro über dem Freibetrag (Stand Juli 2024). Davon werden 40 Prozent (184,78 Euro) auf die Hinterbliebenenrente angerechnet. Die genaue Berechnung kann komplex sein, eine individuelle Prüfung ist daher oft sinnvoll.
Altes versus Neues Recht: Welche Regelungen für Sie gelten
Bei der Witwen- und Witwerrente spielen das Datum der Eheschließung und die Geburtsdaten der Partner eine Rolle für die Anwendung von altem oder neuem Recht. Das alte Recht gilt, wenn die Ehe vor dem ersten Januar 2002 geschlossen wurde und mindestens ein Partner vor dem zweiten Januar 1962 geboren ist. Ansonsten findet in der Regel das neue Recht Anwendung, das seit 2002 gilt. Die Unterschiede betreffen vor allem die Höhe der großen Witwenrente (60 Prozent nach altem Recht, 55 Prozent nach neuem Recht) und die Bezugsdauer der kleinen Witwenrente (unbegrenzt nach altem Recht, auf 24 Monate begrenzt nach neuem Recht). Diese Unterscheidung ist auch bei der Planung der Altersvorsorge relevant.
Expert knowledge and legal nuances regarding the survivor's pension
Avoiding Important Deadlines and Pitfalls
An important regulation concerns short-term marriages. If the marriage lasted less than a year, the pension insurance examines whether a so-called “marriage of convenience” occurred, which was primarily for the purpose of pension provision. In such cases, the claim may be forfeited unless the death was unforeseen (e.g., due to an accident). If a widower or widow remarries, the entitlement to the previous survivor's pension lapses. However, there may be an entitlement to a pension settlement as a kind of “start-up aid” for the new marriage. For the large widow's pension, this generally amounts to 24 times the monthly pension. Considerations for funeral insurance can help cover short-term costs in the event of death.
The following points are particularly important to consider when applying and during benefit receipt:
Timely application submission to avoid losing months of benefits (retroactive up to a maximum of twelve months).
Reporting all relevant income for the correct calculation of crediting.
Informing the pension insurance of remarriage or entering into a new registered civil partnership.
Checking whether the conditions for switching from the small to large widow's pension are met (e.g., reaching the age limit, disability).
Observing the different rules of old and new laws.
Recent Judgments and Their Impact on Those Affected
The case law on survivor's pensions is constantly evolving. A judgment by the Federal Social Court (Ref.: B 5 R 3/23 R) clarified, for example, that tax loss carryforwards do not reduce the income relevant for the pension calculation. The actually available income counts. This can lead to claims in individual cases if income was previously assessed differently. It is therefore important to keep informed about current developments. Preparations for death should also include a review of the current legal situation.
Our Expert Tip: Early Advice and Precaution
The regulations for survivor's pensions are complex and dependent on many individual factors. Early and comprehensive information is crucial to being financially secured in the event of an emergency. Clarify your entitlements and consider any potential pension gaps in your personal pension planning. The German Pension Insurance offers free brochures and consultations for this purpose. We at nextsure are also happy to help you analyze your situation and find suitable solutions for your survivor's protection. A thorough examination of the claim for funeral allowance is also an important step.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete optimization suggestions.
More useful links
Deutsche Rentenversicherung offers comprehensive statistics and reports on statutory pension insurance.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung provides general information on types of pensions and benefits for survivors.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung offers a helpful brochure on survivor's pensions as support during difficult times.
Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS) provides information on survivor's pensions within the framework of statutory pension insurance.
Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb) explains the function and significance of survivor's pensions in the context of pension policy.
Verbraucherzentrale offers consumer information and advice on various aspects of pension provision.
FAQ
Welche Voraussetzungen gelten für die Hinterbliebenenrente?
Grundvoraussetzungen sind meist eine mindestens einjährige Ehe/Lebenspartnerschaft und die Erfüllung der Mindestversicherungszeit (fünf Jahre) durch den Verstorbenen. Spezifische Bedingungen gelten für Witwen-/Witwerrente, Waisenrente und Erziehungsrente.
Muss ich die Hinterbliebenenrente beantragen?
Ja, alle Hinterbliebenenrenten müssen bei der Deutschen Rentenversicherung beantragt werden. Sie werden nicht automatisch gezahlt.
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen kleiner und großer Witwenrente?
Die kleine Witwenrente beträgt 25 Prozent der Rente des Verstorbenen und ist oft zeitlich begrenzt. Die große Witwenrente beträgt 55 Prozent (oder 60 Prozent bei altem Recht) und setzt höheres Alter, Kindererziehung oder Erwerbsminderung voraus.
Wie hoch ist der Freibetrag bei der Einkommensanrechnung?
Der Freibetrag wird jährlich angepasst. Zum ersten Juli 2024 betrug er bundeseinheitlich 1.038,05 Euro. Einkommen darüber wird zu 40 Prozent angerechnet.
Was passiert mit der Witwenrente bei Wiederheirat?
Bei Wiederheirat entfällt der Anspruch auf Witwen- oder Witwerrente. Es kann jedoch ein Anspruch auf eine einmalige Rentenabfindung bestehen.
Wo finde ich eine Broschüre zur Hinterbliebenenrente?
Die Deutsche Rentenversicherung stellt kostenfreie Broschüren wie „Hinterbliebenenrente: Hilfe in schweren Zeiten“ zur Verfügung, die detaillierte Informationen bieten.
