Germany Ends Pension 'Trust Protection' for Severely Disabled From Jan. 1, 2026

Overview

• From January 1, 2026, a pension without deductions for severely disabled insured persons starts at 65, and the earliest start at 62 carries lifelong cuts of 0.3% per month capped at 10.8%.
• The new rules apply to people born in 1964 or later with a certified disability of at least 50 and at least 35 insurance years, removing prior options to retire before 62 or with smaller reductions.
• Separate cohort shifts land in 2026: those born in 1963 can first claim the age‑63 route with about a 13.8% cut, and parts of the 1960 cohort reach regular retirement age with payments starting under the following‑month rule.
• DRV figures show 2023 average payments of €1,302 for the severely disabled pension versus €1,172 for the long‑term insured pension, which reflects differing maximum deduction limits.
• Experts recommend early planning using DRV tools, voluntary contributions from age 50, and flexible partial‑retirement options to mitigate permanent losses.