Survivor's pension after the increase: often more than 4.24 percent
Widows' and widowers' pensions also rose by 4.24 percent on 1 July 2026. But anyone with income of their own is often surprised: the amount paid rises by more or less than the pension itself. The reason is income offsetting. This article explains how it works and how the increase plays out in three typical cases.
How income offsetting works
If the widow or widower has income of their own, part of it is offset against the survivor's pension (§ 97 SGB VI). First, the income is reduced to a notional net figure by a flat rate, for example by 14 percent for your own statutory pension starting in 2011 or later, or by 40 percent for wages. An allowance of this net income is not offset. Of the rest, 40 percent is deducted from the survivor's pension.
The allowance is directly linked to the current pension value: it is 26.4 times that value, plus 5.6 times for each child entitled to an orphan's pension. With the increase on 1 July 2026 the allowance therefore rose from €1,076.86 to €1,122.53 per month. The amount per child rose from €228.42 to €238.11.
Case 1: no income of your own
If you have no income to offset or stay below the allowance, you get exactly 4.24 percent more. A gross survivor's pension of €900 becomes €938.17.
Case 2: your own wages stay the same
A widow has a €900 large widow's pension and offsettable net income from work of €1,500. Before July 2026, (1,500 − 1,076.86) × 40% = €169.26 was offset and €730.74 was paid. After the increase the pension rises to €938.17, and because of the higher allowance the offset falls to (1,500 − 1,122.53) × 40% = €150.99. €787.18 is now paid. That is €56.44 or around 7.7 percent more, almost twice the general increase.
Case 3: your own statutory pension
If your own income is itself a statutory pension, it also rises by 4.24 percent. A widow with her own old-age pension of €1,600 (offsettable after the 14 percent flat deduction: €1,376) and a €900 widow's pension received €780.34 before July. Afterwards her offsettable income rises to €1,434.36, the allowance to €1,122.53, and €813.44 is paid. The gain is exactly 4.24 percent, because pension, income and allowance all grow in the same proportion.
When new income is taken into account
Changes in your own income generally only take effect from the next 1 July (§ 18d SGB IV). On that date the pension insurance provider reviews the offsetting. If your wages rose in the previous year, the offset may therefore increase despite the higher allowance. In the first three months after the month of death, no income is offset at all.
What you should check
Compare your pension adjustment notice with the calculation above. The most important warning sign is a rise of less than 4.24 percent even though your income stayed the same. The widow's pension calculator works out your exact entitlement including offsetting. The pension increase calculator shows the effect of the increase on your net income after health and care insurance if you select the pension type "survivor's pension".
All examples are simplified and do not replace advice. Only the decision of your pension insurance provider is binding.