Merz government increases widow's pensions: Millions benefit!

Merz government increases widow's pensions: Millions benefit!

From July 2025, there are changes in the area of ​​survivor's pensions that will affect over five million people in Germany. As Merkur , the pension value for bereaved pensions is raised by 3.74 percent, which is a little financial scope for those affected could give. This is particularly important because the survivor's pension often ensures the livelihood of relatives who rely on financial support after the death of an insured person.

So far, the allowance for widows and widower is 1,038.05 euros - but this value will also be increased to EUR 1,076.86 per month on July 1, 2025. This not only sounds like a little improvement, but is also to be understood as an incentive to continue to actively participate in working life. Particularly gratifying: survivors can now earn more easily without having to fear a reduction in their pension. According to information from German Pension Insurance

improved additional earnings options

The innovations include not only the increase in the allowance, but also a new crediting system that is intended to further improve the additional earnings. Income is only taken into account if it exceeds the allowance, with 40 percent of the exceeding amount being taken into account. In the first three months after the death of an insured person, also known as a quarter of the year, no income is also counted.

Additional allowances increase for survivors with children of the deceased, and no limit is set for the additional earnings for them. The changes seem to break up the outdated regulations a bit and adapt to modern needs.

The role of the survivor's pensions in the welfare state

Besetting pensions play a central role in the German Social Insurance System. According to Federal Center for Political Education these pensions make up about 22 percent of all pension benefits and are an important financial compensation for relatives. However, the trend in society is changing: more and more women are employed and build their own pension claims. This development means that the dependence on survivors tends to decrease.

widow and orphan pensions have been part of the social security system since the introduction in 1907. However, their importance has dropped in recent years. In 1960, survivors were still 32.5 percent of all pension payments, while this share fell to only 14.8 percent in 2021. The reason? More women are active in the world of work and are able to live regardless of the pensions of their late partner.

With the announced changes, an attempt is now made to take into account the challenges of today. The Merz government faces the task of creating a balance between the protection of the bereaved and the promotion of personal responsibility and incentives for performance. However, the details of the new crediting system have so far remained vague and must continue to be waiting.