What happens to my company pension when I die? Your pension promise decides. If it includes a survivor's pension, your spouse or children receive it, and a direct insurance (Direktversicherung) may pay out the fund instead. Without survivor cover the claim ends. A survivor's company pension is not deducted from the state widow's pension.
Figures for survivors of a company pension in Germany, 2026.
Example
Typical range
Health insurance allowance for pension income
EUR 197.75 a month
Offset of your own company pension against a widow's pension
40 percent of the amount above 26.4 times the current pension value
Offset of a survivor's company pension
EUR 0
Maximum paid by the PSVaG insolvency fund
EUR 11,865 a month
Figures under the Social Code and the company pension act,
with the 2026 reference value of EUR 3,955.
What your promise pays on death is only in your own documents.
Worked example
Widow, direct insurance with a 60 percent survivor's pension
Example figures: the husband dies at 66, his company pension was EUR 300 a month.
Survivor's pension under the contract, 60 percent
EUR 180 a month
Offset against the state widow's pension
EUR 0
Pension income below EUR 197.75?
yes, no health or care contributions
Income tax
depends on total income
The widow receives EUR 180 gross, with no cut to her widow's pension and no health insurance contribution as long as she has no other pension income of this kind.
Your pension promise decides
German company pension law (Betriebsrentengesetz) covers old age, invalidity and survivors, but each promise can include only some of them. Whether yours includes survivors is written in your pension promise, policy document or pension plan rules.
So the first step is to find out what has been agreed for your death: a regular pension for survivors, a lump sum, a refund of contributions or nothing.
Time of death
Possible benefit
Where to find it
before retirement
survivor's pension, lump sum or refund of contributions
policy document or pension plan rules
after retirement
survivor's pension or rest of the guaranteed period
the provider's pension statement
no survivors as defined in the promise
depending on the promise, a death grant or nothing
terms for death
Who counts as a survivor
Who receives the company pension when you die is set by the promise, usually spouses or registered partners and children. Unmarried partners are only included if the promise names them. Check whether you must name them in writing while you are alive.
With a direct insurance the benefit goes to whoever is registered as beneficiary. A revocable beneficiary only gains the right at the time of death. A will does not change this.
Widow's pension, health insurance and tax
The state pension insurance only offsets income listed in the law against a widow's pension. Company pensions are listed only when paid for old age or reduced earning capacity. A survivor's company pension is not among them. Your own company pension as a widow is: 40 percent of the amount above an allowance is deducted.
For statutory health insurance a survivor's company pension is pension income (Versorgungsbezug). Compulsory members have an allowance of EUR 197.75 a month in 2026 for health insurance. If all such income stays below that, no contributions are due at all. Survivors pay income tax as on any company pension.
If the employer no longer exists
When the benefit becomes due, survivors have their own right to information: the employer or provider must state the value of the pension right in text form. Ask in writing, even if the company has been sold.
If the employer is insolvent, the insolvency fund PSVaG protects survivor benefits as well as old age and invalidity benefits.
What to arrange while you are alive
A company pension only helps your family after your death if the right people are registered. Report marriage, divorce and children to the provider and check the beneficiary after every change.
If you are not married, check whether the promise allows a lump sum or refund to other people. Otherwise the fund may be lost when you die.
Step by step
Find the policy document or pension plan rules.
Check which benefit is agreed on death.
Check the beneficiaries and update them after marriage, divorce or a birth.
As a survivor, inform the provider of the death in writing and apply for the benefit.
Tell the health insurer and the pension insurance about the new pension.
Checklist
Survivor benefit included in the promise
Beneficiaries up to date
Unmarried partner named in writing, if allowed
Guaranteed payment period known
Documents easy for your family to find
Common mistakes
Assuming the company pension goes to the heirs automatically
Not changing the beneficiary after a divorce
Not applying to the provider as a survivor
Not applying for the widow's pension for fear of an offset
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does my unmarried partner get my company pension when I die?
Only if the promise includes unmarried partners and you named them as required.
Otherwise the survivor benefit goes to spouse and children or lapses.
Is the company pension part of my estate?
The survivor benefit belongs to the people named in the promise or as beneficiary.
A will does not change that.
What happens if I die after retirement?
The provider pays a survivor's pension or the rest of an agreed guaranteed period.
Without such an agreement the payments stop.
Is a survivor's company pension deducted from the widow's pension?
No.
Company pensions only count if paid for old age or reduced earning capacity, so only your own.
Do survivors pay health insurance on the company pension?
Yes, it counts as pension income.
Compulsory members have an allowance of EUR 197.75 a month in 2026.
Do survivors have to apply themselves?
Yes.
Inform the provider of the death in writing and apply for the benefit.
The provider must give information in text form on request.
