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 institution 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-raising periods,
• periods from pension rights equalization and pension splitting between spouses,
• periods of marginal employment with contributions paid by the employer, and
• supplements to remuneration points for remuneration from minor 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 household of the deceased, and
• grandchildren and siblings who were living in the household of the deceased or were predominantly supported by him/her,

if they:

• are not yet 18 years of age or
• are not yet 27 years of age and:
  • are 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 can also be paid for transitional periods of up to four calendar months, for example between two training courses.
• Beyond the age of 27, an extended orphan's pension entitlement may arise, for example, through prior voluntary military service during the probationary period.

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

Online application:

• You will find detailed information on the procedure on the German Pension Insurance (DRV) website under "Online Services."
• 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 to see, for example, which insurance periods have already been recorded. It also saves you time and means you don't 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 institution will review your application.
• You will receive a notification regarding your application.

Personal application:

• Gather the necessary documents for your application and make an appointment with the DRV.
• When making an appointment online, you will need to provide your personal details and, if possible, your insurance number.
• You can select your preferred advice center and your preferred appointment date. Depending on the availability of free appointments, you will receive a proposal for a binding consultation appointment.
• During your personal consultation, your application will be recorded electronically and forwarded online to the relevant pension insurance institution.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision on 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 advice centers.
• Fill out the application form, sign it, and attach the required documents.
• Send all documents
  • by mail to your pension insurance provider or
  • hand them in at one of the local advice centers.
• The responsible pension insurance provider will review your application.
• You will receive a decision on your application.

A person you trust 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 only contact 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 after registering or use 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.

• Objection
  • Detailed information can be found in the decision regarding your pension application.
• Action before the social court
  • You can find detailed information in the notice of appeal.

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

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

• Application for orphan's pension
• Personal document (such as identity card, passport, birth certificate, or family register),
• Death certificate of the deceased parent
• When applying for an orphan's pension for an orphan of legal age:
  • 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
• Personal appearance required: No
• Online service available: Yes