The widow's or widower's pension provides support in the event of the death of your partner. It can help to cushion the financial hardship that is often associated with such a loss. The regulations apply equally to surviving spouses and registered partners.

A widow's or widower's pension is paid from the pension account of the deceased. The amount of your widow's or widower's pension depends on this pension account.

In the first three calendar months after the death, your widow's or widower's pension is equal to the pension of the deceased (known as the "death quarter").

Large and small widow's or widower's pension

After that, you will receive the so-called large or small widow's or widower's pension.

• Large widow's and widower's pension: You will receive 55 percent of the pension that the deceased was receiving or would have received at the time of death.
• Small widow's and widower's pension: You will receive 25 percent of the pension that the deceased was receiving or would have received at the time of death. This pension is usually paid for a maximum of 24 months.

The pension paid to you may be reduced by deductions. This depends on how old your partner was. Under certain conditions, you may be eligible for a child supplement.

If you have other income that exceeds a certain allowance, this will be partially offset against your widow's or widower's pension. The amount of the allowance is calculated on an individual basis. Exception: In the first three calendar months (quarter following death) after the death, your own income will not be taken into account.

Widow's or widower's pension under the old law

The laws governing widow's or widower's pensions were amended in 2002. Depending on the date of death and your marriage or civil partnership, you may be eligible for a widow's or widower's pension under the old law. The calculation may then differ:

• 60 percent instead of 55 percent of the deceased's pension is used as a basis.
• You can also receive the small widow's or widower's pension for an indefinite period.
• Fewer types of income are taken into account.
• There is no child supplement.

General requirements

• You have not remarried.
• The deceased person paid into the pension insurance scheme for at least 5 years (general waiting period) or was already receiving a pension.
  • Exception: If your partner had an accident at work, for example, shorter periods may be sufficient.
• You were married or in a civil partnership for at least one year at the time of death.
  • Exception: Sometimes it is sufficient if you were married for less than one year. This applies, for example, if your partner died in an accident.

If you remarry, your widow's or widower's pension will end. However, you can then apply for a lump-sum payment to help you start a new phase of your life.

If you decided as a couple to share your pension entitlements (pension splitting), you cannot receive a widow's or widower's pension.

Small widow's or widower's pension

You can receive the small widow's pension if

• you are younger than the current age limit:
  • Age limit in the event of death in 2020: 45 years and 9 months
  • This age limit will gradually increase to 47 by 2029.
• you are not disabled and
• you are not raising a child under the age of 18.

Large widow's or widower's pension

You can receive the large widow's pension if you either

• have reached the current age limit specified above or
• have a reduced earning capacity, or
• are raising your own child or a child of the deceased under the age of 18, or
• are caring for a disabled child of your own or a child of the deceased, regardless of their age.

Widow's or widower's pension under the old law

You may be entitled to a widow's or widower's pension under the old law if

• your partner died before January 1, 2002, or
• you married before January 1, 2002, and
• your partner was born before January 2, 1962.

In these cases, you can also receive the pension if you

• were married for less than 1 year.

Widow's or widower's pension for spouses divorced before July 1, 1977

If your marriage was divorced before July 1, 1977, you may also be eligible under certain conditions

• despite already being divorced or
• remarried or entered into a civil partnership that was subsequently dissolved

you may still be eligible for a special widow's or widower's pension.

Widow's or widower's pension after the penultimate spouse

You can receive a widow's or widower's pension based on your penultimate spouse if you

• have remarried or entered into a registered civil partnership after the death of your former partner and
• the new relationship has now been dissolved or annulled.

You can submit your application online, in person, or in writing.

Online application:

• You will find detailed information on the procedure on the German Pension Insurance (DRV) website under "Online Services."
• If you follow the "Submit application" link, you will be guided through the remaining steps and can select the desired application.
• Alternatively, you can use the online services by registering. This allows you to see, for example, which insurance periods have already been recorded. It also saves you time and means you don't have to re-enter data that is already known.
• Fill out the application completely and upload the required documents.
• Submit your application online.
• You will receive a confirmation of submission.
• The responsible pension insurance institution will review your application.
• You will receive a notification regarding your application.

Personal application:

• Gather the necessary documents for your application and make an appointment with the DRV.
• When making an appointment online, you will need to provide your personal details and, if possible, your insurance number.
• You can select your preferred advice center and your preferred appointment date. Depending on the availability of free appointments, you will receive a proposal for a binding consultation appointment.
• During your personal consultation, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the relevant pension insurance institution.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

Written application:

• Go to the DRV website.
• Download the desired application form.
• You can also pick up the form in person at the information and advice centers.
• Fill out the application form, sign it, and attach the required documents.
• Send all documents
  • by mail to your pension insurance provider or
  • hand them in at one of the local advice centers.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

A person you trust can also submit your pension application for you. To do this, please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance provider. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance provider will only contact the person you have authorized.

If you give your consent to electronic communication, all correspondence can be conducted online. You can either use the electronic mailbox under the online services with registration or De-Mail.

• Objection
  • Detailed information can be found in the decision regarding your pension application.
• Action before the social court
  • You can find detailed information in the notice of appeal.

Payment of the pension: If the deceased

• was already receiving a pension of their own, your widow's or widower's pension will begin at the earliest in the month following their death.
• had not yet received their own pension, your widow's or widower's pension will begin on the date of death.

Application deadlines:

• Submit your application no later than 12 calendar months after the date of death.
• If you submit your application later, the pension will only begin in the month in which you submit your application.

• Small widow's and widower's pensions: usually 4 months
• Large widow's and widower's pensions: usually 3 months

Note: If your partner was already receiving a pension, you can apply for an advance payment within the first 30 days after their death. To do so, contact the pension service of Deutsche Post with the death certificate and submit the formal pension application later. You must be listed as the surviving dependant on the death certificate.

• Application for survivor's pension
• Personal document (such as identity card, passport, birth certificate, or family register)
• Death certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Information about your income
• Last pension adjustment notice of the deceased or other pension documents

There are no costs involved.

• Forms available: Yes
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: No
• Personal appearance required: No
• Online service available: Yes