Small widow pension
Typically 25% of the deceased person's pension, limited to a maximum of 24 months. Applies when you are under 47, not raising children, and not incapacitated.
Widow Pension
Survivor pension in Germany
If your partner worked in Germany and paid into the pension system, that may create an entitlement to a survivor pension. We help you keep things clear during this difficult time and find the right path forward.
"We guide you personally — step by step."
Camilo Alfonso · Your personal contact
Since 2015 with German pension cases
External lawyer on complex cases
Personal support for complex pension questions
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This service is currently being revised
We are currently accepting new widow pension cases only after an individual pre-assessment. Contact us so we can check whether Fundsback can provide the right support for your case.
Who is the widow pension for?
The German widow pension (or widower pension) is available to spouses and registered partners when the deceased person paid into the German pension system. In some cases, orphans may also be entitled to survivor benefits.
We understand this is a difficult time. That is why we take over the bureaucratic part completely — you do not need to fill in forms, speak German, or attend any authority appointments.
Spouse / registered partnerWidow or widower pension
ChildrenHalf or full orphan pension
Divorced partnersUnder certain conditions
Benefit types
Small and large widow pension
Not every survivor benefit works the same way. Which type applies depends on age, children, remarriage, and the contribution history of the deceased person.
Large widow pension
Typically 55% of the deceased person's pension, with no time limit. Applies from age 47, when raising children, or in case of reduced earning capacity.
Orphan pension
For children of the deceased — as a half-orphan pension (one parent deceased) or full orphan pension (both parents deceased).
Process
How Fundsback supports the widow pension claim
Clarify the claim first, then organize the documents, then move the application forward with care.
Step 1
Understand the claim and your situation
We first clarify whether and which survivor benefit applies to your case. We consider the deceased person's insurance record, your personal situation, and possible treaty agreements.
Step 2
Prepare documents and estimate
We sort all required documents, check the insurance record for gaps, and provide an initial estimate of the likely benefit.
Step 3
File the application and follow through
The application is filed with the Deutsche Rentenversicherung through our external lawyer. We handle all follow-up communication until the claim is resolved.
Why Fundsback
Why survivors trust Fundsback
Empathetic, personal guidance
External lawyer on every case
50/50 model — money back if denied
Entire process in English
Review the deceased person's insurance record
Identify and close gaps in the record
We handle all communication with the DRV
Since 2015 — experienced with sensitive cases
4.9 out of 5 stars
What our clients say
Real experiences from people who clarified survivor benefits with Fundsback.
★★★★★
"My case turned out to be a complicated one but they pushed it through even though DRV refused to payout initially. The communication was always nice and the process was very clear."
Vadim Raikhlin
Google review, 2025-03-11
★★★★★
"Everything went super smooth. They have a ticketing system where you can check the status of your case, ask questions and so on. I received my pension money back in less than 2 months with almost zero bureaucracy."
Daniel Klotz
Google review, 2025-02-04
★★★★★
"Extremely professional service and amazing transparency and trust. The whole process was completed in a very short span with minimal inputs and no hassle."
Mohd Atif
Google review, 2025-04-07
FAQ
Common questions about widow pension
What is a widow pension from Germany?
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A German widow pension (Witwenrente or Witwerrente) is a monthly survivor benefit paid by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung to the surviving spouse or registered partner of someone who paid into the German pension system. There are two types: the small widow pension (kleine Witwenrente), paid for up to 24 months, and the large widow pension (grosse Witwenrente), which can be paid indefinitely under certain conditions such as age, disability or caring for a child.
When should I look into widow pension support?
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Widow pension support is more relevant when your case depends on survivor pension questions, family context and a more careful claim review rather than a refund-first decision. The topic should stay separate so the next step can be handled with more empathy, context and care.
How do I apply for a German widow pension?
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You apply by submitting a survivor pension application (Antrag auf Hinterbliebenenrente) to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. This requires the deceased person insurance number, a marriage or partnership certificate, the death certificate and your own identity documents. From abroad, the process is often handled through the German embassy or a pension service. Fundsback supports you with the forms, translations and authority communication so the process stays manageable.
What should I prepare before a widow pension case goes deeper?
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Most cases start with the essential identity, family and pension context that helps Fundsback understand the claim path. More specific documents can then be requested in the right order instead of overwhelming you at the start.
How much is a German widow pension?
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The small widow pension pays 25% of the deceased person pension entitlement for up to 24 months. The large widow pension pays 55% (or 60% under older rules) and can last indefinitely. Your own income above a certain threshold (currently around 992 EUR per month in western Germany) is partially offset against the benefit. The exact amount depends on the deceased person contribution history and your personal situation, so an individual review is usually needed.
Can I receive a German widow pension from abroad?
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Yes, German widow pensions can generally be paid to recipients living abroad. Germany has social security agreements with many countries that protect your entitlement. The payment is usually transferred to your local bank account. Some adjustments may apply depending on your country of residence and whether a bilateral agreement exists. Fundsback helps clarify the international payment context and handles the communication with German authorities on your behalf.
How long does a widow pension claim take?
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A straightforward widow pension claim typically takes 2-4 months from submission to the first payment. International claims can take longer, especially when documents need to be verified across borders or translated. Filing promptly after the death is important because the widow pension can be backdated up to 12 months from the date of the application. Fundsback helps you prepare a complete application from the start to avoid delays from missing documents.
We are here for you
Let us check if we can help.
Send us a short message about your situation. We will check individually whether Fundsback can provide the right support for your case.