Zum Inhalt springen
Pension

Apply for a half-orphan's pension

Pension benefits from the German Pension Insurance Fund for children of deceased insured persons, provided the eligibility requirements (e.g., school or vocational training) are met.

Wo wohnen Sie?

Damit wir Apply for a half-orphan's pension mit dem zuständigen Deutsche Rentenversicherung in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.

Oder Großstadt wählen:

Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Apply for a half-orphan's pension.

Processing: approx. 2 monthsSuccess rate: 85.0 %
Last reviewed: August 08, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1

    Documents you need

    Death certificate · Birth certificate

  2. 2

    Responsible authority

    The authority of your main residence

  3. 3

    How to do it

    Apply directly online

  4. 4

    Costs

    Kostenlos

Find the responsible authority

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Submit an application to the German Pension Insurance

    Along with the child's death certificate and birth certificate.

  2. 2

    Submit proof of education (if you are of legal age)

    For continued payments beyond the age of 18.

  3. 3

    Ongoing payment

    Until the end of their education, or until they turn 27 at the latest.

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

Children of a deceased parent who met the eligibility requirements under insurance law, generally up to the age of 18 (or 27 if they are in school).

Income limit

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 months

Success rate

approx. 85.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • Certificate of enrollment for adult children not submitted; payment suspended as a result
  • The application was not filed until months after the death

Common reasons for rejection

  • The deceased did not meet the general waiting period (5 years)

Alternatives

  • Check related services in the application assistant
  • Use social counselling before applying

If rejected

File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.

Related services

Questions & Answers

How much does it cost to apply for a half-orphan's pension?

Free.

How long does it take to apply for a half-orphan's pension?

Typically about 60 business days—depending on the agency and its workload.

Freshness & source

Maintenance
Continuously reviewed & updated
Source
Deutsche Rentenversicherung
Data quality
100 %

Read more

Often searched too