Increase pension: How high can the pension be to receive basic security?

Created: 09/21/2022, 07:00

By: Omer Kayali

In retirement, you are entitled to basic security if you meet certain requirements.

What is the maximum pension?

For many retired people in Germany, the pension is not enough and they are affected by poverty in old age.

cites Berlin as an example, where the

number of seniors receiving social assistance has risen sharply in recent years.

According to the social association VdK Germany, many more pensioners are entitled to basic security.

However, they would not apply because they fear that their children would have to pay back the money - or because they were ashamed of it.

Many seniors may also believe that they are not entitled to it at all because they are drawing a pension.

However, as long as your pension income does not exceed a certain limit, you are entitled to claim.

Basic security in old age: How high can the pension or income be at most?

According to the German pension insurance, the following requirements must be met for entitlement to basic security in old age:

• You have reached normal retirement age and are receiving your regular payments for your old-age pension.

• Your total monthly income is less than 924 euros.

  In addition to the pension, this includes rental and lease income, sick pay and interest.

  Nursing allowance, on the other hand, is

  not

  taken into account.

• They live in Germany.

  In addition, you may not stay abroad for more than four weeks without interruption after the permit.

• The partner's income also plays a role.

  If this person earns a particularly large amount, the entitlement to basic security could expire.

• If you receive a disability pension, you may still be entitled to basic security.

  In this case, seek personal advice.

How much is the basic security?

In retirement, you are entitled to basic security if you meet certain requirements.

© Felix Schlikis/Imago

The amount of the basic security is calculated individually for each person.

According to the VdK, in 2020 it was a flat rate of 432 euros for single people and 389 euros for couples.

On top of that, the social welfare office takes over some of the costs for accommodation and heating costs within reasonable limits.

The local rent index is taken into account as a guideline.

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Where can I apply for basic security?

If you meet the above requirements, it makes sense for you to apply for basic social security.

For this you need to contact your local social welfare office.

Alternatively, you can also submit the application to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

It will then be forwarded there.

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When and for how long will I receive basic security?

If you are granted basic security, the payment is usually made for twelve months.

You then have to submit a follow-up application after one year.

However, it is also possible to obtain a longer permit if it is foreseeable that your income will not change during this period.

You will receive the first payment from the first day of the month in which you submitted the application.

Retroactive payments are not possible.