As of: February 21, 2024, 12:00 p.m
By: Marvin K. Hoffmann
Comments
Press
Split
Anyone who has never worked can still receive a pension.
But only under certain conditions.
Nobody goes away empty-handed in Germany.
Hamm - Arno Dübel died in mid-2023 - he was probably the best-known unemployed person in Germany.
His distinctive “no way” once became an internet hit; he never really worked.
He still received money in old age.
Because that's what distinguishes the German welfare state: no one is left behind.
In case of doubt, basic security applies.
If you have never worked, you could still claim a pension.
There are different possibilities.
Pensioners who have never worked can apply for basic security
The most obvious is basic security in old age.
This social benefit is intended to ensure that the basic living needs of older people who do not have sufficient resources of their own are covered.
Anyone who would like to apply for basic security must meet various requirements.
Anyone who has never worked receives money from the state when they reach retirement age
Anyone who has never worked will receive money from the state when they reach retirement age.
The level of basic security varies, as it is intended to guarantee the minimum subsistence level.
Several factors such as place of residence, rental costs and individual needs play a role.
One thing is clear: you won't get rich with basic security as a substitute for your pension, and a life of luxury is not possible.
Apply for basic security
“As a person in need, you can receive basic security in old age and with total incapacity if you have either reached the standard retirement age - this is the point at which you can receive the regular old-age pension - or you are permanently fully incapacitated and at least 18 years old,” explains the German pension insurance.
The place of residence must also be in Germany.
Attention: Basic security is an independent social benefit.
It must be applied for.
The application date is important for the start of basic security.
However, those who have never worked but have spent their time raising children have a small advantage.
This time will then be counted towards your pension - even if you have never worked, you will receive the childcare or mother's pension.
“In some cases, this gives rise to a pension entitlement in the first place, for which you have to have a certain minimum period of insurance.
This can even mean that you later receive a pension without ever having paid in yourself,” explains the German Pension Insurance.
Raising children can be worthwhile - then you'll be entitled to a pension
Converted, one year of raising children brings about 34 euros in pension per month.
As the German pension insurance further explains, in addition to the biological parents, other people can also receive child-rearing time:
My news
Largest German heating manufacturer is abolishing gas heating systems: Will Habeck's law be a success? read
Next real estate insolvency: Construction crisis is dragging more and more companies into the abyss
The richest Germans in the ranking: New face moves to first placeread
Russia threatens “logistics collapse”: China bank lets Putin run into the ground read
Pension increase in summer 2024: Heil gives the first forecast for pensioners
German family business files for bankruptcy - 150 employees affected read
Adoptive, step or foster parents as well
Grandparents or relatives if the child lives there permanently as a foster child.
In this case, a custody and upbringing relationship between the biological parents and the child may no longer exist.
Child-rearing periods are not taken into account
for people who, while raising them, already receive a full old-age pension after reaching the standard retirement age or a pension in accordance with civil service law or other regulations, such as a pension,
have reached the standard retirement age and have never had statutory pension insurance or have acquired pension entitlements in another pension system due to their upbringing, which are taken into account there in the same way as in the statutory pension.
Anyone who has never worked can still receive a survivor's pension
There is also another way in which people can receive pensions in old age even though they have never worked: through the death of a spouse.
“The death of a father, mother, or partner can endanger one’s economic existence.
We protect you with our pensions,” explains the German Pension Insurance.
The pension for survivors, for which the additional earnings limit does not apply, is available in different versions:
If your spouse/partner dies, you may be entitled to a widow's or widower's pension.
If you are a minor or still in school or vocational training and lose one or even both parents, you can receive a half or full orphan's pension.
Are you divorced and raising a minor child?
Then you can receive a child-care pension when your ex-partner dies.
This also applies to widowed spouses or life partners with pension splitting.
If you remarry as a widow or widower, your widow or widower's pension will no longer apply.
You are then entitled to a pension severance payment as “starting capital”.
Anyone who has never worked in their life could still be entitled to a pension, which is likely to be increased significantly again in 2024.
Otherwise, it is advisable to apply for basic security - which could also apply if you receive a disability pension.
Nobody goes away completely empty-handed in Germany – not even Arno Dübel.
Those who take care of their own retirement provision are on the safe side - an ETF savings plan, for example, could help in retirement.