Apply for a widow's or widower's pension
Pension for surviving spouses or registered domestic partners following the death of the insured partner.
Wo wohnen Sie?
Damit wir Apply for a widow's or widower'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 widow's or widower's pension.
Quick answer
- 1
Documents you need
Death certificate · Marriage certificate
- 2
Responsible authority
The authority of your main residence
- 3
How to do it
Apply directly online
- 4
Costs
Kostenlos
How to proceed
- 1
Obtain a death certificate
At the registry office in the place of death.
- 2
Submit an application to the Social Security Administration
In person, online, or through a funeral home or insurance agency.
- 3
received a notice
Full widow's pension (55%) or partial widow's pension (25%), depending on eligibility.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Widowed spouses or domestic partners, provided the deceased had completed the general waiting period of 5 years.
Income limit
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 months
Success rate
approx. 92.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Death certificate is missing
- •Personal income not reported (calculated based on the quarter of death)
Common reasons for rejection
- •The waiting period for the deceased has not been met
- •Marriage entered into shortly before death (presumption of a marriage of convenience)
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.
Questions & Answers
What is the presumption of a marriage of convenience?▼
If the marriage took place less than one year before the death, it is presumed that the marriage was entered into for the purpose of providing for the spouse—the widow’s pension may then be denied unless this presumption is rebutted.
Freshness & source
- Maintenance
- Continuously reviewed & updated
- Source
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung
- Data quality
- 100 %