Apply for upbringing allowance

If you are raising a child alone because your divorced partner has died, you can receive a pension for bringing up children.

The upbringing pension supports you as a single parent when your divorced spouse or life partner dies. The pension thus serves as a substitute for alimony and makes it possible to focus more on raising the children.

The upbringing pension is a pension from your own pension account. The amount corresponds to the pension you would receive in the event of full reduction in earning capacity. Your annual pension information states the amount on which this is based. If your upbringing pension begins before the relevant age limit for you, you must accept deductions. For each month you retire earlier, the deduction is 0.3 percent, but a maximum of 10.8 percent in total.

If you receive the upbringing allowance, you can have additional income (additional earnings). However, it is possible that your income will be offset if you exceed an allowance. The exact amount of this allowance is calculated individually.

You can also receive the upbringing pension if your marriage or registered civil partnership still existed at the time of death and you, as a couple, had decided to divide your pension entitlements through so-called pension splitting.

You cannot receive an upbringing pension if you receive another, higher pension from the statutory pension insurance at the same time.

The upbringing allowance ends at the end of the month in which the requirements are no longer met, for example, if you remarry or if your child reaches the age of 18 and childcare thus ends, but at the latest when you reach the standard retirement age.

You can submit your application online, in person, or in writing.

Online application:

• On the website of the German Pension Insurance (DRV) under "Online Services“ you will find detailed information about the procedure.
• If you follow the “Apply“ link, you will be guided through the remaining steps and can select the application you want.
• Alternatively, you can use the online services with registration. For example, you can 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 transmission confirmation.
• The competent pension insurance provider is reviewing your application.
• You will receive a notification regarding your application.

Personal application:

• Gather the required documents for your application and schedule an appointment with the DRV.
• When booking an appointment online, your personal data and, if possible, your insurance number are required.
• You can select a preferred counseling center and your desired date. Depending on the availability of open slots, you will receive a proposal for a confirmed consultation appointment.
• During your personal consultation, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the competent pension insurance provider.
• The competent pension insurance provider is reviewing your application.
• You will receive a notification regarding your application.

Written request:

• Go to the DRV website.
• Download the desired application form.
• You can also pick up the form in person at the information and advisory offices.
• Fill out the application form, sign it, and attach the required documents.
• Send all documents
  • by mail to your pension insurance provider or
  • hand these in at one of the local advisory offices.
• The competent pension insurance provider is reviewing your application.
• You will receive a notification regarding your application.

A trusted person can also submit your pension application for you. To do this, please submit a power of attorney to the pension insurance provider. As long as the power of attorney is valid, the pension insurance provider will communicate exclusively with the person you have authorized.

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

Your pension begins on the 1st of the calendar month in which you meet the requirements at the beginning, provided you submit the application within 3 calendar months.

If the application is submitted later, the pension will be paid to you starting from the calendar month in which the pension is applied for.

There are no costs.

• Objection. Detailed information can be found in the notice regarding your pension application.
• Lawsuit before the social court. Detailed information can be found in the rejection notice.