Calculating the survival pension

Calculation of pension amount

Basic parameters

The amount of the gross annual pension is calculated using the cost-of-living index number 100 and 1984 as the base year. The amount thus obtained is adjusted using the current cost-of-living index and the revaluation factor in force and divided by 12 to obtain the monthly amount.

Pension elements and reversion factors

The survival pension is a derived pension, calculated from the personal pension to which the deceased was entitled or would have been entitled in the event of invalidity. For this purpose, reversion factors are applied to the elements making up the personal pension.

These pension elements can be:

• fixed increases, granted according to the length of the insurance record,
• proportional increases, granted on the basis of pensionable income earned during the insurance career,
• special fixed increases, granted in the event of invalidity for prospective periods,
• special proportional increases, granted in the event of invalidity on notional income,
• the supplement to minimum pension, which is the difference between the guaranteed minimum pension and the other pension elements

The reversion factors for the various pension elements are as follows:

(*) The survival pension is increased by a supplement up to the amount of the minimum pension which the deceased was receiving or would have received.

The grace quarter for survival pensions

The pensions of survivors who lived in the same household as the deceased or who were dependent on the deceased are supplemented for the first three months up to the amount of the pension that the deceased received or would have received. The supplement is divided between the various pensions in proportion to the amount of each one.

Calculation in the event of divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership

In the event of divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership and in the case of several entitled persons, the survival pension is divided in proportion to the duration of the various marriages/partnerships.

However, the divorced spouse's or former civil partner's pension may not be higher than the pension that would have been granted in the absence of other entitled beneficiaries.

In the absence of a combination with a surviving spouse/partner, the pension of the divorced spouse/former civil partner is determined on the basis of the duration of the marriage/partnership during the deceased's insurance career in relation to the total duration of that insurance career.

Orphans who lost both parents

For orphans who have lost both parents, the amount of the orphan pension is doubled. If both the father's and mother's date of entitlement applies, the orphan pension is calculated by doubling the higher pension.

Combining several survival pensions

The total amount of survival pensions cannot exceed

• the pension that was due or would have been due to the deceased insured person,
• or, if this method of calculation is more favourable, the average of the 5 highest salaries during the insurance record of the deceased insured person, without this average being less than 1.2 times the reference amount.

If the total of survival pensions exceeds the ceiling, they are reduced proportionately.

Combinations with personal income

The survival pension is reduced if, together with the pension holder’s personal income, it exceeds a threshold defined by law. Personal income means professional income, replacement income, personal pensions and annuities.

Determining the threshold

The threshold is 1.5 times the reference amount. It is increased by 4% for each child entitled to baby years or the child-raising pension. For each child receiving an orphan pension, the percentage is increased to 12%.

Monthly amounts applicable as of 01.01.2025:

• Threshold: EUR 3,822.59
• 4% increase: EUR 152.90
• 12% increase: EUR 458.71

Immunised amount

Where personal income is made up of professional income or replacement income, an immunised amount corresponding to two-thirds of the reference amount is deducted beforehand.

Where personal income consists of a personal pension, the total amount of the pension is taken into account.

Monthly immunised amount applicable as of 01.01.2025: EUR 1,698.93

Reduction of the survival pension

The reduction is 30%:

• of the amount of personal income, if the survival pension exceeds the threshold, or
• of the rise over the given threshold, if the survival pension is below the threshold.

Repurchase and reinstatement

Repurchase of the surviving spouse's or partner's pension

Spouse's or partner's survival pensions cease to be paid from the month following the month of remarriage or new partnership.

If the holder of a survival pension enters into a new marriage or partnership before the age of 50, the survival pension is repurchased at a rate of five times the amount paid over the last twelve months. In the event of a new marriage or partnership after the age of 50, the rate is three times the aforementioned amount.

The amount of the repurchase is limited to the fixed and proportional increases and does not take into account any reductions applied under anti-overlapping provisions. Special proportional increases and special fixed increases relating to prospective periods are disregarded.

Reinstatement of the surviving spouse's or partner's pension

If the new marriage or partnership is dissolved, either by divorce or termination of the partnership, or by the death of the spouse or partner, entitlement to the survival pension is reinstated after a period of five years or three years respectively, from the date of the new engagement.

If the death of the new spouse or partner also gives entitlement to a survival pension, only the higher pension will be paid.