My husband worked in Germany and died – can I claim a widow's pension?

When a loved one passes away, it causes not only emotional but also financial problems. If your husband worked in Germany, even for a short time, you might be able to get a widow's pension. This is called Witwenrente in German. 

This pension is meant to help you keep a steady income after your partner's death. It's important to know about such a benefit if you relied on your spouse's income.

What is a Widow’s Pension in Germany?

A widow's or widower’s pension in Germany is a monthly payment made to the surviving spouse of someone who contributed to the German statutory pension insurance system (Deutsche Rentenversicherung). It is part of the broader "survivor benefits' category, which also includes benefits for orphans and dependents.

There are two main types of widows’ pensions:

• Small Widow’s Pension (Kleine Witwenrente)

• Large Widow’s Pension (Große Witwenrente)

Let’s see how these two types differ:

The Small Widower’s Pension is generally a short-term financial support. It is granted to surviving spouses who are below 47 years old (as of 2025) and do not meet specific age or other requirements for the Large Widower’s Pension. This type of pension is a temporary help for someone who has just lost their spouse.

Key Points:

• Duration: Paid for a maximum of 24 months (2 years) after the death of the spouse.

• Amount: 25% of the deceased’s pension that he or she would have received, either at the time of death or when they first qualified for retirement benefits.

• Eligibility: Available to all surviving spouses, regardless of age or whether they have children.

• Income considerations: The amount may be reduced if the surviving spouse has multiple sources of income that are substantial.

The Large Widower’s Pension provides more significant and longer-term support. It is meant for surviving spouses who are either older, unable to work, or responsible for raising children.

Key Points:

• Amount: Typically 55% of the deceased spouse’s pension (or 60% if the marriage began before 2002).

• Eligibility Criteria: The surviving spouse must meet at least one of the following:

  • Be at least 47 years old (as of 2025; this threshold increases over time).

  • Be disabled or unable to work.

  • Be raising a child under the age of 18.

• Duration: Can be paid indefinitely.

The large widower’s pension is the more common and helpful option, especially for widows who do not have other significant income sources. It’s especially critical if you’re older, unemployed, or taking care of children.

If you need help with applying for a widow’s pension or getting your pension money back from Germany, our team at GermanyPensionRefund.com is ready to support you. We know the rules and steps involved in the German pension system and can guide you through the whole process. 

Whether you want to check if you qualify, fill out the forms, or get the biggest refund possible, we make it easy for you. We help widows, families, and anyone who has worked in Germany and now lives abroad. Let us take care of the paperwork so you can focus on what matters most.

Am I Eligible for a Widow’s Pension if My Husband Worked in Germany and Died?

To receive a widow’s or widower’s pension in Germany, both the deceased spouse and the surviving partner must meet certain legal and contribution-based requirements. Below is a full overview of the conditions you must fulfill:

1. Contribution Requirements (Deceased Spouse)

• The deceased must have paid national insurance contributions into Deutsche Rentenversicherung for at least five years (this is called the general waiting period).

2. Marital Status

• You must have been legally married to the deceased at the time of their death.

• In most cases, the marriage must have lasted for at least one full year to qualify.

3. Pension Age and Family Status (for Large vs. Small Pension)

• There is no minimum age for receiving the Small Widower’s Pension.

• To qualify for the Large Widower’s Pension, you must meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • Be at least 47 years old (as of 2025; this state pension age threshold gradually increases over time).

  • Be disabled or unable to work due to health reasons.

  • Be caring for a child under the age of 18, either your own or the deceased spouse’s.

4. Income Considerations

• If the surviving spouse has other income (salary, rent, pensions, etc.), it may reduce the amount of the widower’s pension.

5. Residence and Jurisdiction

• You do not have to live in Germany to claim a widower’s pension, but your eligibility depends on international agreements between Germany and the country where you live.

Special Situations That Still Qualify

• You were separated but not legally divorced

• The marriage lasted less than a year, but was not entered just for financial reasons (e.g., unexpected death)

• You’re disabled or over the age of 47

• You are raising a child under age 18 (even if not your biological child, but the child of the deceased)

• If you are in a same-sex marriage or civil partnership, the rules are all the same as such marriages have been recognized in Germany for pension purposes since 2005. So you can also receive the pension of your late civil partner.

How is a Widow’s Pension Calculated in Germany?

Widows’ pensions are calculated based on several factors:

1. Pension Type

• Small: 25% of the full pension

• Large: 55% (or 60% if the deceased person was born before 1962 or the marriage was before 2002)

2. Contribution Record of the Deceased

Germany’s pension system uses a point system — Earning Points (Entgeltpunkte) — where each year of average income adds one point. The more points your husband earned, the higher the pension.

• Each point is worth €40.79 as of 1st July 2025 in Germany.

3. Income of the Widow

Income matters only for the large widower’s pension. The income test starts with a free exemption limit:

• Starting July 1st 2025: €1.076,86/month (net)

• For each child, this limit increases slightly

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If your income exceeds the threshold, 40% of the surplus is deducted from the widower’s pension.

4. Supplements for Children or Disability

You may receive additional benefits if:

• You are raising children under 18

• You’re disabled or have limited work capacity

• You do not remarry

These amounts are calculated on a case-by-case basis and added to the base widower’s pension.

How to Apply for a Widower’s Pension in Germany

Applying for a widower’s pension in Germany is a necessary step — the benefit is not granted automatically, even if you meet all the eligibility requirements. Whether you live in Germany or abroad, knowing what documents are needed and where to submit them can make the process smoother and less stressful.

Before starting your application, make sure you have the following documents ready:

• Death certificate of your spouse or civil partner

• Marriage certificate to prove your legal relationship

• Your valid ID or passport

• The pension insurance number (Versicherungsnummer) of your late spouse

• Your bank account details (IBAN and BIC) for receiving the bereavement support payment

• Proof of your current income (if applying for the Large Widower’s Pension)

• If you are living outside Germany, proof of residence or a valid visa in your country

Tip: All documents should be either originals or certified copies. Translations may be required if they’re not in German.

Where to Apply

You can apply for the widower’s pension through different channels depending on where you live:

• If you are in Germany:Apply directly at your local Deutsche Rentenversicherung office. You can find their contact details on your regional pension authority’s website.

• Online application:You can also apply digitally through the official website of Deutsche Rentenversicherung at www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de.

• If you live outside Germany:For those living outside Germany, claiming a widower’s pension is often quite a frustrating experience. It’s not just about getting the right documents — the real issue is to deal with institutions abroad that usually do not fully understand the German pension system. This Misinformation, delays, and unanswered questions are common when navigating this alone.

That’s why many turn to professionals who know the system inside and out.

At GermanyPensionRefund.com, we focus on helping people outside Germany submit accurate, complete, and timely applications. Our team bridges the gap between you and the German authorities, handling the details so you don’t have to.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Request the application form (Form R0650)You can download this from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung website or get it from your nearest office.

2. Fill out the form carefullyProvide all personal details, your spouse’s information, and your bank account data.

3. Attach the required documentsMake sure to include everything listed above. Missing documents can delay your application.

4. Submit the applicationYou can send it by post, hand it in personally at the office, or upload the documents online (if applying digitally).

5. Wait for confirmationThe pension office will confirm that your application has been received.

6. Respond to additional requestsIf any documents are unclear or missing, they may contact you for further information.

7. Receive your approval noticeOnce approved, you’ll receive an official notification. Payments are usually made retroactively, starting from the month your spouse or civil partner died.

   
   

Processing Time

• The standard processing time is 8 to 12 weeks.

• If you are applying from outside Germany or if documents are incomplete, the process might take much longer.

• In urgent cases, such as financial hardship, you can request a Vorschuss — an advance payment of the pension — even before full processing is complete.

Helpful Tips for a Smooth Application

• Submit only originals or officially certified copies.

• Keep digital or paper copies of everything you send.

• If you're not sure how to complete a section, contact Deutsche Rentenversicherung or consult with a professional team like ours to make sure you don't have any inaccuracies.

• If German is not your native language, consider getting help with translations or working with a service like ours to guide you through each step.

How Long Will I Receive the Bereavement Support Payment?

Small Widow’s Pension

• Paid for up to 24 months

• May be extended in rare cases (e.g., unemployment, health issues)

Large Widow’s Pension

• Paid lifelong if you don’t remarry or exceed income limits

If You Remarry

• Your widow’s pension ends

• You may receive a lump-sum settlement (Abfindung) equal to 24 months of the current benefit

If You Move Abroad

• Payments usually continue if Germany has a bilateral agreement with your country

• Some exceptions apply — check with the pension authority

Can I Receive a Widow’s Pension if My Husband Worked Abroad or Had International Contributions?

Yes. Germany has pension treaties with more than 50 countries, including:

• All EU member states

• USA, Canada, Australia

• Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey

• Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia, and more

Each country calculates and pays its portion based on the years worked there. If your husband worked 15 years in Germany and 10 years in another country, Germany will calculate the benefit based on its share.

You usually apply through your home country’s social security office, which forwards the application to Germany.

Real-Life Example:

Nadia, whose husband worked for 12 years in Germany and 8 years in Tunisia, applied for a widow’s pension after his death. She submitted her application at her local Tunisian social security office. Thanks to the agreement between Germany and Tunisia, the office forwarded her documents to Germany. A few months later, she started receiving bereavement support payments from both countries, based on the years her husband worked in each.