Overview
- From 1 January 2026, the long‑standing protection for severely disabled retirees ends: full benefits are only available from 65, early retirement from 62 carries up to a 10.8% permanent cut.
- Starting December 2025, the earnings‑related supplement for disability pensions will be integrated into the main pension and treated as income for widow(er)s’ pensions, potentially reducing payouts.
- For the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, the monthly survivor income disregard is €1,076.86 net, with 40% of income above that threshold offset against the widow(er)’s pension.
- The Deutsche Rentenversicherung reports about 538,000 widow(er)s in 2025 receive a “zero pension” because their own income exceeds the allowance.
- The government’s Aktivrente is planned for 1 January 2026 with up to €2,000 per month tax‑free earnings for those past the standard retirement age in insured employment, with the bill still pending and exclusions for self‑employed, mini‑jobbers and early retirees.