Widow's pension cancelled? You can no longer receive it above this income level.
In Germany, the widow’s pension (Witwenrente) can be reduced or even completely suspended depending on the surviving partner’s income, according to the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung, DRV).
The widow’s or widower’s pension is designed to support people after the death of a spouse or registered partner. Eligibility generally applies if the couple was married or in a civil partnership at the time of death and the relationship had lasted at least one year, unless the death was due to an accident. There are two types: a small widow’s pension and a large widow’s pension.
The small widow’s pension is paid for a maximum of two years and amounts to 25% of the deceased partner’s pension entitlement. The large widow’s pension is permanent and usually equals 55% of the deceased person’s pension. In older cases, where the deceased was born before January 2, 1962, it can be 60%.
During the first three months after the death, known as the “quarter of death,” the full pension is paid without any deductions. After this period, the survivor’s own income begins to be taken into account, which can reduce the payment significantly.
Income is only partially exempt due to a monthly allowance (Freibetrag), which is adjusted annually. As of July 2026, this allowance will increase and depends on whether the surviving spouse has children. If income exceeds the allowance, 40% of the excess amount is deducted from the widow’s pension.
If the survivor’s income is high enough, the pension can be reduced to zero. In such cases, the payment is suspended, a situation often referred to as a “zero pension” (Nullrente). Importantly, this does not permanently remove the entitlement. If income later decreases, the pension can be reactivated, but the recipient must actively apply for it again, as the pension authority does not notify them automatically.
This means that whether a widow’s pension is paid in full, reduced, or completely stopped depends heavily on individual income levels, the pension amount of the deceased partner, and family circumstances. Even relatively moderate incomes can, in some cases, lead to the pension being fully withdrawn.