Why there is a supplement
The credited period has been extended several times in recent years. People whose disability pension started earlier did not benefit, because the rules only ever apply to new pensions. Until mid-2014 the credited period ended at age 60 at most, after that at 62, and for pensions starting in 2018 at 62 years and 3 months. Today it runs to 66 years and 3 months for a 2026 start. The differences in pension amounts are correspondingly large.
To at least partly close this gap for existing pensioners, the legislator introduced a supplement. It is set out in § 307i SGB VI.
Who receives the supplement
The supplement goes to people who, on 30 November 2025, were entitled to one of the following pensions:
1. a disability pension or child-raising pension that began after 31 December 2000 and before 1 January 2019,
2. a survivors' pension starting in the same period, if the deceased person did not receive a pension immediately beforehand,
3. an old-age pension directly following such a disability pension,
4. a survivors' pension directly following such a disability or old-age pension.
People whose disability pension started in 2019 or later do not receive a supplement. For these pensions the considerably longer credited period already applies.
How much the supplement is
The supplement is added to the personal earnings points on which the pension was based on 30 November 2025. The factor depends on when the pension started:
7.5% for a pension starting between 1 January 2001 and 30 June 2014,
4.5% for a pension starting between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2018.
For an old-age pension following a disability pension, the factor depends on when the disability pension began.
Example: Mr B. has received a full disability pension based on 35 personal earnings points since 2012. The supplement is 35 × 0.075 = 2.625 earnings points. At a pension value of €42.52 that is about €111.62 more gross per month. Had his pension started in 2016, it would be 35 × 0.045 = 1.575 points, or about €66.97.
From an extra payment to a permanent part of the pension
Between July 2024 and November 2025, the supplement was paid as a separate monthly payment alongside the pension (§ 307j SGB VI), based on the pension payment amount at the time. Since 1 December 2025 it has been built permanently into the pension as additional earnings points. It therefore rises with every pension adjustment and carries over to a later old-age or survivors' pension.
You do not need to apply for the supplement; the pension insurance takes it into account automatically. Do check your pension notice, though. If the supplement is missing although your pension started in the period mentioned, ask the pension insurance.
What the supplement means for tax and health insurance
The supplement increases the gross pension, and health and care insurance contributions are due on the higher amount. For tax purposes it is also part of the pension. How it affects the tax-free portion in your individual case can be seen from your tax assessment or clarified with a tax adviser. The net pension calculator shows how much of the supplement is left net.
New pensions: credited period instead of supplement
People who lose their earning capacity today do not receive a supplement, but benefit from the long credited period up to the mid-60s. How high a new disability pension will be is shown by the disability pension calculator.