A distinction is made between half-orphan's pension and full-orphan's pension. You will receive a half-orphan's pension if one parent who is obliged to pay maintenance is still alive, and a full-orphan's pension if both parents who are obliged to pay maintenance are deceased. 

The half-orphan's pension amounts to 10 percent of the insured pension to which the deceased parent would have been entitled or which he or she was already receiving, while the full orphan's pension amounts to 20 percent.

You will receive a supplement to both the full and half orphan's pension, which is based on the deceased parent's or parents' pensionable periods. If an orphan is entitled to several half orphan's pensions, only the highest will be paid.

If the parent or parents died before reaching a certain age, the orphan's pension is reduced. For deaths before 2012, this age limit was 63. From 2012, the age limit will be gradually raised from 63 to 65 by December 31, 2023.

Orphan's pensions are paid regularly until the orphan's 18th birthday. Under certain conditions, you can receive the orphan's pension until the age of 27.

Note: If you adopt an orphan who is already receiving an orphan's pension, they will continue to receive it. It will also continue to be paid unchanged if the orphan marries.

Surviving children receive an orphan’s pension from the pension insurance provider if the deceased parent or parents have fulfilled the general waiting period of 5 years. This includes:

• contribution periods (mandatory and voluntary contributions),
• substitute periods,
• child-rearing periods,
• periods from pension rights equalization and pension splitting between spouses,
• periods of marginal employment with employer-paid contributions, and
• bonuses to earnings points for remuneration from marginal employment exempt from compulsory insurance.

The following are entitled to an orphan’s pension:

• biological or adopted children of the deceased,
• stepchildren and foster children who were living in the deceased’s household, and
• grandchildren and siblings who were living in the deceased’s household or were primarily supported by him or her,

provided that they:

• are under 18 years of age or
• are under 27 years of age and:
  • are enrolled in school or vocational training for more than 20 hours per week,
  • are performing voluntary service, or
  • are unable to care for themselves due to a physical, mental, or psychological disability.
• An orphan’s pension may also be paid for transitional periods of up to four calendar months, for example between two training programs.
• Beyond the age of 27, an extended entitlement to an orphan’s pension may arise, for example, due to prior completion of voluntary military service during the probationary period.

You can submit your application online, in person, or by mail.

Online application:

• On the German Pension Insurance (DRV) website under “Online Services,” you will find detailed information about the process.
• If you follow the “Submit Application” link, you will be guided through the remaining steps and can select the desired application.
• Alternatively, you can use the online services by registering. This allows you, for example, to immediately see which insurance periods have already been recorded. You also save time and do not have to re-enter data that is already known.
• Fill out the application completely and upload the required documents.
• Submit your application online.
• You will receive a confirmation of submission.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision regarding your application.

In-person application:

• Gather the necessary documents for your application and schedule an appointment with the DRV.
• When scheduling an appointment online, your personal information and, if possible, your insurance number will be required.
• You can select your preferred office and your desired appointment date. Depending on the availability of open slots, you will receive a proposal for a confirmed appointment.
• During your in-person consultation, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the responsible pension insurance provider.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision regarding your application.

Written application:

• Go to the DRV website.
• Download the desired application form.
• You can also pick up the form in person at the information and counseling centers.
• Fill out the application form, sign it, and attach the required documents.
• Send all documents
  • by mail to your pension insurance provider or
  • submit them in person at one of the local counseling centers.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision regarding your application.

A person you trust can also submit your pension application on your behalf. To do so, please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance agency. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance agency will communicate exclusively with the person you have authorized.

If you give your consent to electronic communication, all correspondence can take place online. You can either use the electronic mailbox under the online services with registration or De-Mail.

If there is an accident insurance claim (for example, an accident at work), an orphan's pension can also be paid from the accident insurance. Different conditions and calculation bases apply here.

• Appeal
  • You can find detailed information in the decision regarding your pension application.
• Lawsuit in Social Security Court
  • You can find detailed information in the notice of appeal.

• Retroactive payment of the orphan's pension: up to 12 calendar months prior to the month of application 

Processing usually takes up to 3 months. Once all the required application documents have been submitted, the pension insurance provider will make a decision promptly.

• Application for an Orphan's Pension
• Identification document (such as an ID card, passport, birth certificate, or family register),
• Death certificate of the deceased parent
• When applying for an orphan’s pension for an adult orphan:
  • Proof of school or vocational training or
  • proof of completion of voluntary service.

There are no costs involved.

• Forms available: Yes
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: No
• In-person appearance required: No
• Online service available: Yes