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Can I still earn extra money while receiving a BU pension in Germany?

In short

Yes. While receiving a private BU pension (Berufsunfähigkeitsrente) in Germany you can still earn extra money, and there is no legal euro limit. What matters is the kind of work: a new job that matches your previous standard of living can end the pension. The limit of EUR 20,763.75 a year only applies to the state full reduced earning capacity pension in 2026.

Can I still earn extra money while receiving a BU pension in Germany?

What it costs

The figures that matter for extra income: state pension limits for 2026 and what BU cover costs.

ExampleTypical range
Full reduced earning capacity pension, extra income limit 2026EUR 20,763.75 a year, about EUR 1,730 a month
Partial reduced earning capacity pension, extra income limit 2026at least EUR 41,527.50 a year
Private BU pensionEUR 0 income limit, the type of work is what counts
BU policy, age 30, office job, EUR 1,500 pensionaround EUR 70 a month

As of November 2026.

Extra income limits as published by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung on 22.01.2026,

deduction rule and legal provisions checked, BU premium from publicly quoted tariff examples.

Whether your policy uses a concrete or abstract referral clause is in your terms.

Your premium depends on age, job and health; we obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Roofer, 48, BU pension EUR 1,800

He last earned EUR 3,600 gross a month. His policy uses a concrete referral clause. Two ways to earn extra money.

Option 1: helper at a DIY store, EUR 900 gross a monthwell below his previous standard of living, BU pension continues
Option 1 in totalEUR 1,800 BU pension plus EUR 900 wages
Option 2: site manager in an office, EUR 3,400 gross a monthabout 6 percent less, matches his standard of living
Option 2 resultthe insurer can stop paying after notice, at the earliest at the end of the third month

Extra income itself is never the problem. The question is whether the new job comes close to your old one in pay and standing.

Private BU pension: no limit in euros

Occupational disability insurance (BU) is a private contract. It pays as long as you cannot do at least 50 percent of your last job and the other conditions are met. How much you earn on the side plays no part, and there is no legal income limit like the one for the state pension for reduced earning capacity.

Rental income, investment returns or an inheritance do not reduce a BU pension either. The only question is whether the conditions for occupational disability still apply.

When a new job can cost you the pension

Most policies use a concrete referral clause (konkrete Verweisung). Under the model terms, you then only count as occupationally disabled if you are not doing another job that matches your previous standard of living (Lebensstellung). If you take up such a job, the insurer can stop paying.

A job only matches your previous standard of living if pay and social standing are not clearly below your old job. The model terms point to case law under which an income drop of up to about 20 percent is normally still reasonable. Work with clearly lower pay or standing does not put the pension at risk.

With an abstract referral clause (abstrakte Verweisung), which § 172 (3) VVG allows, it is enough that you could do such a job. Extra income changes nothing there, but the assessment is stricter from the start.

What you doEffect on the BU pension with concrete referral
Mini job well below your old levelcontinues
New full time job with similar pay and standingcan end, after notice and a waiting period
Same job as before, but under 50 percentcontinues as long as the limitation lasts
Old job again at more than 50 percentcan end, as you are no longer occupationally disabled
Income from renting or investmentscontinues

Reporting and review

Under the model terms you must tell the insurer without delay if you start working again or your work changes. The insurer may check whether you are still occupationally disabled and take newly gained skills into account.

If it finds that the conditions no longer apply, it must explain this to you in text form. It only stops paying at the end of the third month after you receive that statement (§ 174 VVG), and from then on you pay premiums again. Under the model terms, if you deliberately hide a new job, you lose your claim until you report it.

State reduced earning capacity pension: limits for 2026

If you also get a state pension for reduced earning capacity (Erwerbsminderungsrente), fixed limits apply there. According to the German pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung), the 2026 limit is EUR 20,763.75 a year for full reduced earning capacity and at least EUR 41,527.50 for partial reduced earning capacity. For the partial pension, a higher limit can follow from your highest earnings in the last 15 years.

If you earn more, § 96a SGB VI deducts one twelfth of 40 percent of the amount above the limit from your monthly pension. Wages, self employed income and certain social benefits count as extra income, a private BU pension does not. With a full reduced earning capacity pension you must also stay under three hours of work a day, or the pension itself is in question.

When earning extra is worth it and when not

A job that does you good and is clearly below your old level usually fits with your BU pension. With retraining or a new job at similar pay, do the sums soberly: the BU pension may stop, and the new salary would then have to carry you alone.

Before signing a new employment contract, ask the insurer how it classifies the job and get the answer in writing. Letters from the insurer are usually in German, so keep copies and ask us if a passage is unclear.

Step by step

  1. Check in your terms whether your policy uses a concrete or abstract referral clause.
  2. Compare the planned job with your old one: pay, standing, responsibility.
  3. Inform the insurer in writing before you start and ask how it classifies the job.
  4. If you also get a reduced earning capacity pension, check your earnings against the 2026 limits.
  5. Report the new work to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung in advance as well.

Checklist

  • Type of referral clause in your policy known
  • New income clearly below the old one, or a conscious decision
  • Written notice to the insurer, with a date
  • Income limit of the state pension checked
  • Under three hours a day with a full reduced earning capacity pension

Common mistakes

  • Applying the state pension income limit to a private BU policy
  • Not telling the insurer about a new job
  • Taking an equivalent new job without planning for the loss of the pension
  • Working more hours than allowed with a full reduced earning capacity pension

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Is there an income limit for a BU pension?

No.

Private BU cover has no euro limit.

What matters is whether you do work that matches your previous standard of living and whether you

are still occupationally disabled.

Can I take a mini job while receiving a BU pension?

As a rule yes, because the income from a mini job does not come close to a full job.

Report it to the insurer anyway.

Does the insurer reduce the pension if I earn a little?

No.

The model terms do not provide for a partial cut based on income.

Either the conditions still apply or they do not.

Can I become self employed with a BU pension?

Yes, there is no euro limit here either.

If your business reaches your old standard of living in income and standing,

the insurer can stop paying under a concrete referral clause.

What happens if I retrain?

During retraining you are usually not yet working in a new job.

It becomes critical if you then work in an equivalent job.

Clarify this with the insurer beforehand.

Does the BU pension count as extra income for the state pension?

No.

Under § 96a SGB VI wages, self employed income and certain social benefits count,

a private BU pension does not.

How much can I earn in 2026 with a full reduced earning capacity pension?

According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, EUR 20,763.75 a year without a cut.

Above that, 40 percent of the excess is offset.

Sources

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