Retire early: Three illnesses are the most common reason

Created: 06/08/2022, 02:00 p.m

By: Natalie Hull Drawbar

What to do if you can no longer work for health reasons?

In the case of certain illnesses, there is an entitlement to a disability pension.

Saarbrücken – This circumstance can basically affect anyone: being unable to work due to illness.

In Germany, around 1.8 million people are unable to work, one in four.

If you are no longer able to work due to illness or an accident and are still too young for an old-age pension, you can apply for state aid in the form of a disability pension.

Retire early: Three illnesses are the most common reason

In the meantime, every third working person in Germany is planning to retire earlier than 65 or 67 after years of regular working life.

But there are also a number of people in Germany who have to retire much earlier because, for example, a serious illness forces them to do so.

Is it no longer possible for you to work more than six hours a day?

Then you are already unable to work and are entitled to a state benefit from the statutory pension insurance: the disability pension.

If you are affected by the following illnesses and are therefore no longer able to work, the disability pension represents real help and financial relief.

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Disability pension for depression

Depression and mental illness are now among the most frequently cited reasons when it comes to applying for early retirement.

According to the insurance company "Cosmos Direkt", mental illnesses were already among the most common causes of a disability pension in 2020.

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The symptoms of depression can vary greatly, ranging from severe listlessness to insomnia and pain.

If those affected no longer feel able to work due to their physical and mental limitations, it is necessary to have this confirmed and certified by a doctor and medical expert.

This is a crucial prerequisite for applying for a disability pension.

disability pension due to cancer

Followed by mental illnesses such as depression, cancer and its consequences are another reason for people to become unable to work.

Colorectal cancer, for example, is one cause, since more and more young people are also affected.

People who are prescribed stressful therapies and medication for cancer and ulcers are often no longer physically and mentally fit as a result.

Disability pension: Back problems such as a herniated disc

Early retirement with reduced earning capacity is often necessary for health reasons such as back problems, cancer or mental illness.

(Iconic image) © BDS/Imago

People who are struggling with diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system are also entitled to a disability pension.

Osteoporosis, arthrosis and arthritis as well as a classic herniated disc are among the diseases that usually meet the requirements for an early state pension.

Retire early: disabled or incapacitated?

There are several requirements for entitlement to a disability pension: on the one hand, medical reasons such as illnesses or accidents, and on the other hand, insurance requirements such as the minimum contribution years.

Ultimately, it is also important to distinguish between the disability pension and the disability pension.

The latter is a private insurance taken out for individual provision.

If you can work less than 50 percent exclusively in your previous job in the long term, you are considered unfit for work.

A disability pension is to be understood as a state benefit from the statutory pension insurance and applies if those affected can pursue any professional activity for less than six hours a day.

The subject of pensions and the respective entry age has been hotly debated in Germany for years.

Basically, opinions differ widely as to whether people should work longer just because they live longer on average.

Living longer also means a higher risk of developing chronic diseases.

Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (49, SPD) clearly rejects the demand of economists that employees continue to work until they are 70 in the future.

The tendency and desire of many Germans is to retire earlier.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.