Updated for 2025

Calculate German Widow's Pension — Free & Fast

Calculate your survivor pension rights in Germany in just three steps. Includes official 2025 allowances, personal income calculations, and instant breakdown.

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100%
Free
2025
Updated Rates
~30s
Calculation Time
1
Pension Type
2
Income
3
Details
Step 1: Type of Widow's Pension

Choose between small and large widow's pension in Germany.

Old law applies if married before 01.01.2002 and at least one spouse was born before 02.01.1962. Otherwise, new law applies.
Step 2: Pension & Personal Income

Enter the deceased's monthly pension and your own gross income.

Enter all gross income (salary, own pension, company pension, rental income). If no income, enter 0.
Step 3: Dependent Children & Details

Enter details about children and date of death for exact allowance calculations.

0
Each eligible child increases your monthly tax-free allowance by €228.42.
Your Monthly Widow's Pension
0,00 €
monthly (indefinite)
Gross Widow Pension
0,00 €
Tax-Free Allowance
0,00 €
Income Deduction
0,00 €
Net Widow Pension
0,00 €
Calculation Breakdown
Deceased's Gross Pension —
Pension Rate —
Gross Survivor Pension —
Your Gross Income —
Calculated Net Income (after 14% flat deduction) —
Tax-Free Allowance —
Income Above Allowance —
Deduction (40%) —
Your Monthly Pension —

Who is Entitled to a Widow's Pension (Witwenrente)?

You are entitled to a widow's pension if the marriage lasted at least one year and the deceased spouse completed the 5-year waiting period (60 contribution months) in the statutory pension system. In the event of accidental death, the minimum marriage duration is waived.

Depending on age (46+), disability, or child-rearing, either the large widow's pension (55% or 60%, indefinite) or the small widow's pension (25%, max. 24 months) is paid. During the first 3 months (Sterbevierteljahr), 100% of the pension is paid with no income deduction.

Large vs. Small Widow's Pension Comparison

The large survivor pension and small survivor pension differ across 3 core criteria: pension percentage, payment duration, and eligibility prerequisites.

Large Widow's Pension
55 %
New Law (married after 2001)
60 %
Old Law (married before 2002)
  • Duration: Indefinite (Lifetime)
  • Age threshold: 46+ years (2025)
  • Or: Reduced earning capacity / Child under 18
  • Bonus: Child-rearing supplement available

Requirements for the large widow's pension: minimum age 46 (2025), reduced earning capacity, or raising a child under 18.

Small Widow's Pension
25 %
Both Legal Frameworks
  • Duration: Capped at 24 months
  • Age: Below standard age limit
  • No child: No minor child in household
  • No reduced earning capacity

Whether you qualify for the large or small widow pension depends on age, earning capacity, and child care. German pension law distinguishes between old law and new law. Old law applies if the marriage was contracted before January 1, 2002, and at least one spouse was born before January 2, 1962. In all other cases, new law applies, yielding 55% (new law) or 60% (old law) of the deceased's pension.

Key Factors Influencing Pension Amounts

5 primary factors determine the final widow pension payout. Each factor directly affects your monthly bank deposit.

Pension Type — Large or Small Survivor Pension

The pension type determines the pension factor in the formula: 0.5500 (new law) or 0.6000 (old law) for large survivor pensions, and 0.2500 for small pensions. Qualification depends on age, disability, and minor children in your household.

Widow's Pension Timeline After Spouse's Death

Following the death of a spouse, survivor benefits progress through 3 distinct chronological phases, each with specific entitlement rules.

1 Sterbevierteljahr (Transition Quarter)
Months 1–3
100 %

During the first 3 months after death, surviving spouses receive 100% of the deceased spouse's full pension without any personal income deductions, providing immediate financial relief.

2 Regular Widow's Pension
From Month 4 Onward
55 % / 60 %

From the 4th month onward, standard survivor rates take effect: 55% (new law) or 60% (old law) for large pensions, subject to income offset rules. Small pensions pay 25% for up to 24 months.

3 Pension Termination or Remarriage Settlement
Upon Remarriage or Passing
0 %

Widow pensions terminate upon remarriage. Upon remarrying, survivors can apply for a lump-sum pension settlement equal to 24 monthly payments of the large survivor pension.

Applications for German survivor pensions should be submitted promptly to the German Pension Insurance (DRV) or local social insurance offices. The statutory retroactive claim period is 12 months.

Practical Calculation Examples

3 practical calculation scenarios demonstrate how survivor benefits are calculated across different income situations.

Example 1: Survivor with Zero Personal Income
Deceased spouse's pension: €1,800 gross Personal income: €0 Type: Large Widow's Pension (New Law, 55%)
Gross Survivor Pension1.800 € × 55 % = 990,00 €
Personal Net Income0 €
Tax-Free Allowance1.076,86 €
Income Above Allowance0 €
40% Offset Deduction0 €
Monthly Payout Amount990,00 €

With no personal earnings, the full 55% survivor pension of €990.00 is paid without any deductions.

Example 2: Survivor with Part-Time Job (€1,500 Gross)
Deceased spouse's pension: €1,800 gross Personal salary: €1,500 gross Type: Large Widow's Pension (New Law, 55%)
Gross Survivor Pension1.800 € × 55 % = 990,00 €
Personal Net Income1.500 € × 86 % = 1.290,00 €
Tax-Free Allowance1.076,86 €
Income Above Allowance1.290,00 € − 1.076,86 € = 213,14 €
40% Offset Deduction213,14 € × 40 % = −85,26 €
Monthly Payout Amount904,74 €

After a 14% flat deduction (€1,290 net), net income exceeds the €1,076.86 allowance by €213.14. 40% offset (€85.26) reduces the pension to €904.74/month.

Example 3: Survivor with Own Statutory Old-Age Pension
Deceased spouse's pension: €2,200 gross Personal pension: €1,400 gross Type: Large Widow's Pension (Old Law, 60%)
Gross Survivor Pension2.200 € × 60 % = 1.320,00 €
Personal Net Income1.400 € × 86 % = 1.204,00 €
Tax-Free Allowance1.076,86 €
Income Above Allowance1.204,00 € − 1.076,86 € = 127,14 €
40% Offset Deduction127,14 € × 40 % = −50,86 €
Monthly Payout Amount1.269,14 €

Surviving spouses can receive their own retirement pension alongside a survivor pension. After statutory offsetting, the net survivor pension is €1,269.14/month.

From Gross Entitlement to Net Bank Payout

Gross pension entitlement is not the final bank deposit. Statutory deductions for health and long-term care insurance apply.

Gross Widow's Pension
990,00 €
Health Insurance (7.3% + Additional Rate)
−87,12 €
Nursing Care Insurance (1.7%–2.3%)
−22,77 €
Net Bank Deposit Amount
880,11 €

Statutory health insurance (7.3% plus average 1.5% individual supplement) and long-term care insurance (1.7% with children, 2.3% without) are automatically deducted from the gross survivor pension. Income taxes may apply if total taxable income exceeds the basic annual tax exemption (€11,784 in 2025).

Calculating net widow pension requires factoring in both social insurance deductions and income tax. The gap between gross and net survivor pensions typically ranges between 10% and 15%.

The 3-Month Transition Period (Sterbevierteljahr)

The 'Sterbevierteljahr' provides full financial protection for the surviving spouse during the first 3 months following bereavement.

Month 1
100 %
100% of Deceased's Full Pension
Zero income deductions
Month 2
100 %
100% of Deceased's Full Pension
Zero income deductions
Month 3
100 %
100% of Deceased's Full Pension
Zero income deductions
Month 4 Onward
55 % / 60 %
Regular Survivor Pension
Standard income offset applied

The transition quarter begins on the first calendar month following the spouse's death and lasts for 3 full months. During this period, the deceased's pension is paid in full (100%) without any income offsetting.

The Sterbevierteljahr helps surviving partners adjust household budgets, settle probate, and structure estate affairs without immediate financial distress. Transition to regular survivor benefits occurs automatically.

Pension Points and Their Role in Calculations

The deceased spouse's accumulated pension points (Entgeltpunkte) form the primary mathematical cornerstone of the benefit.

40,0
Deceased Spouse's Full Pension
1.572,80 €
40,0 EP × 1,0 ZF × 1,0 RAF × 39,32 € aRW
Large Survivor Pension (55%)
865,04 €
40,0 EP × 1,0 ZF × 0,55 RAF × 39,32 € aRW

1 earning point is credited when annual gross income matches the national average wage (€45,358 in 2025). Higher earnings yield proportionately higher point values. Accumulated points are documented in official DRV pension notices.

The current pension value is €39.32 (2025). Calculating the pension follows: Earning Points × Access Factor × Pension Factor × Pension Value. Ensure all career contribution periods and raising years are properly credited with the DRV.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most important questions regarding German widow's pension.

Spouses or registered civil partners are entitled to a survivor pension if the deceased spouse paid into the statutory pension insurance for at least 5 years and the marriage lasted for at least one year.

Three requirements must be met: The deceased spouse fulfilled the 5-year waiting period in the statutory pension insurance, the marriage lasted at least one year, and the survivor has not remarried.

The small survivor pension is 25% of the deceased's pension for up to 24 months. The large pension is 55% (new law) or 60% (old law) paid indefinitely if aged 46+, disabled, or raising a minor child.

As of 2025, the nationwide monthly basic allowance is €1,076.86. Each eligible orphan child adds an extra €228.42 per month.

During the first 3 calendar months following the month of death, survivors receive 100% of the deceased spouse's full pension without any income deduction.

Personal net income exceeding the €1,076.86 allowance is deducted at a rate of 40%. A standard flat deduction (e.g. 14%) is first applied to gross earnings to calculate net income.