Degree of occupational disability table: How your entitlement to occupational disability pension is determined
14.06.25
6
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Occupational disability can affect anyone and threaten financial security. Find out how the degree of occupational disability (BU degree) is determined and why a blanket table is often not enough to assess your individual case. This article explains the complex relationships and shows you what really matters.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The degree of occupational disability (BU degree) is determined individually; there is no universally applicable table.
Insurers generally pay out once the degree of occupational disability reaches 50%, based on the last occupation held.
What matters for the degree of occupational disability is the specific impact of the health problems on the key professional activities, not the diagnosis alone.
The 50 per cent hurdle: understanding the basis for your disability pension
Most occupational disability insurance policies pay out if you are no longer able to perform your most recently held occupation by at least fifty per cent. This figure, the so-called degree of occupational disability (BU degree), must be certified by a doctor and recognised by the insurer. It is a common misconception that there is a fixed „degree of occupational disability table“ that you can simply look up. The determination of the BU degree is always decided on a case-by-case basis. The specific nature of your health impairment and its concrete impact on your professional duties are decisive here. An occupational disability insurance policy is therefore an important safeguard. A thorough review of these factors is crucial for approval of the benefit payment.
No catalogue: Why general occupational disability degree tables are misleading
There is no official catalogue or universal “degree of occupational disability table” that assigns illnesses to a level of occupational disability across the board. The reason is simple: the same illness can have completely different effects depending on the profession and the individual. An architect with a hand injury is affected differently than a software developer with the same diagnosis. The decisive factor is the impact on the core tasks that define your profession. Insurers examine which of your main occupational duties you can no longer perform, or can only perform to a limited extent, because of your health restrictions. This individual assessment makes a standardised table impossible and underlines the need for a detailed application for occupational disability. The complexity of this case-by-case assessment shows why careful documentation is so important.
Practical examples: How the degree of occupational disability is determined in practice
To make the assessment of the degree of occupational disability more tangible, here are some anonymised examples that often come up in discussions about a “table of occupational disability levels”: A tax adviser with an aneurysm could achieve a degree of occupational disability of fifty per cent, as could a physiotherapist with a slipped disc. A scientist with arthritis, which affects his laboratory work and analyses, could likewise be classified at fifty per cent. A flight attendant who can no longer carry out her profession because of anxiety may even reach a degree of occupational disability of one hundred per cent. These examples show the range and individuality of the assessment. It becomes clear that it is not the diagnosis alone, but its functional impact in everyday working life, that matters. For those affected, it is important to understand the examples of 50 per cent occupational disability. A precise analysis of the occupational requirements is a key factor here.
Factors in determining the level of occupational disability: more than just the diagnosis
Insurers use various factors to determine the degree of occupational disability, going far beyond a mere “degree of occupational disability table”. These include:
The exact nature and severity of your illness or injury.
The specific impact on your ability to carry out the key activities of your profession.
Your remaining capacity in hours per day (often less than three hours for full occupational disability).
The prognosis for how long the impairment will last (usually at least six months).
A detailed description of your day-to-day work and the specific requirements.
The quality of the documents you submit is often crucial for a quick and accurate assessment. An incomplete or unclear account can lead to delays or rejections, even if you are entitled to benefits. Knowledge of the reasons for occupational disability can help here. A precise description of your duties is therefore essential.
Benefit schedule: special case in accident insurance, not relevant for occupational disability insurance
In the context of disability, the term “Gliedertaxe” often comes up. However, this primarily plays a role in private accident insurance and is not directly applicable to determining the degree of occupational disability in occupational disability insurance. The schedule of loss sets fixed disability percentages for the loss or functional impairment of body parts or sensory organs. For doctors, for example, there are special schedules of loss that take account of the high value of their hands or fingers. By contrast, occupational disability insurance assesses the impact on the specific profession practiced, not the abstract loss of a function. An accident can indeed lead to occupational disability, but the assessment bases differ fundamentally. It is important to know the difference between occupational disability and incapacity for work. The schedule of loss is therefore a specific instrument of accident insurance.
Mental illnesses: the most common cause and its assessment
Mental illnesses such as depression or burnout are now the most common cause of occupational disability and account for more than thirty-five per cent of cases. Assessing the level of occupational disability is often particularly complex here, as there is no “table of degrees of occupational disability” for mental health conditions. The effects on concentration, resilience and social interaction in the workplace must be described in detail. Precise documentation by specialists and therapists is essential here. The subjective nature of the symptoms requires particularly careful assessment by the insurer. Information on occupational disability due to depression is relevant here. Recognition often requires a comprehensive description of the limitations.
If you become unable to work and claim benefits, a “degree of occupational disability table” is not your primary guide. Instead, note the following points:
Gather all medical records, findings and expert reports without gaps.
Describe your day-to-day working life before the onset of the illness in as much detail as possible.
Explain precisely which activities you can no longer perform and why.
Pay attention to deadlines and duties to cooperate with your insurer.
If necessary, seek independent advice or specialist lawyers at an early stage.
Our expert tip: Early and transparent communication with the insurer can avoid many problems. Clarify when the disability insurance pays out. Good preparation is the key to success.
Recent judgments: An insight into case law
The case law on the subject of occupational disability is varied and is constantly evolving. Courts often have to decide on the interpretation of insurance terms and conditions and the assessment of the degree of occupational disability. One judgment by the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court (case no. 7 U 113/20), for example, dealt with the occupational disability of a doctor and the question of whether a reduction in working hours was already due to illness. Another judgment by the Braunschweig Higher Regional Court (case no. 11 U 316/21) addressed the consequences of fraudulent misrepresentation when taking out occupational disability insurance, even after the expiry of ten years. These judgments show that it always comes down to the details of the individual case. A general “degree of occupational disability table” does not apply in courtrooms. Knowledge of BU payment when receiving a pension can also be relevant. The legal assessment is complex.
Support from nextsure: Your partner for clear arrangements
Determining the degree of occupational disability is complex, and a schematic “degree of occupational disability table” is not helpful. At nextsure, we understand the concerns and difficulties that come with occupational disability. We support you in asserting your claims correctly and provide transparent information. With our disability insurance calculator, you can determine your individual needs. We rely on expert advice instead of rigid tables. Our mission is to offer you tailored and easy-to-understand insurance solutions. Request your individual risk analysis now.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for improvement.
More useful links
Laws on the Internet contains the relevant Section 172 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) on occupational disability insurance.
German Pension Insurance provides an official definition of occupational disability.
German Pension Insurance provides comprehensive information on the reduced earning capacity pension.
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) provides a definition of occupational disability in the pension lexicon.
German Insurance Association (GDV) provides the General Terms and Conditions for occupational disability insurance as a PDF.
German Insurance Association (GDV) presents seven important facts about occupational disability insurance.
FAQ
How exactly is the degree of occupational disability calculated?
There is no exact mathematical calculation. Insurers assess, on the basis of medical documents and your job description, the percentage by which you are no longer able to carry out your main professional duties. The aim is to determine whether the fifty per cent threshold has been exceeded.
Does my occupation play a role in determining the degree of occupational disability?
Yes, the profession and the specific activities associated with it play a central role. The same condition can lead to a different degree of occupational disability for an office worker than for a tradesperson.
How long does it take for the level of occupational disability to be determined?
The duration of the review depends on the complexity of the case and the completeness of the documents submitted. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
What can I do if I do not agree with the assessed level of occupational disability?
You can lodge an objection and, if necessary, obtain a second medical opinion or an independent expert report. In the event of a dispute, legal advice may also be useful.
What role do tables really play in occupational disability?
Tables that directly assign specific illnesses to a degree of occupational disability are misleading and are not used by insurers. Examples in tabular form serve only to illustrate possible scenarios.
Does the insurance also pay if the degree of occupational disability is below 50 per cent?
Usually not. Most contracts only provide an obligation to pay benefits from a disability level of at least fifty per cent. However, there are tariffs with tiered arrangements, but these are less common.
