Basic security in old age: What to do if your pension is no longer enough. If the pension is not enough to live on, the basic security comes in.
It covers living expenses and, if necessary, also housing and heating costs. You can even pay for parts of the retirement or nursing home; there is at least a subsidy equal to the local rent. Early retirees are not entitled to basic security. This also applies to people who live abroad and those who have ‘grossly negligently’ caused their need, according to the pension insurance.