Every pension application is also considered an application for a compensatory supplement. The competent authority is your pension insurance provider.
If you receive a very low pension, you will receive a compensatory supplement. This is often referred to as the "minimum pension". The compensatory supplement is intended to ensure a minimum income for every pensioner who lives in Germany.
If your total income (gross pension plus other net income plus any maintenance claims) is below a statutory minimum amount (reference rate), you will receive a compensatory supplement. This will top up your total income.
You receive the compensatory allowance if you live in Germany and your monthly income is less than € 1,217.96 as a single person and less than € 1,921.46 as a married couple (living in the same household) (as of 2024).
ATTENTION: There is no or a correspondingly reduced compensatory supplement if you receive another income in addition to your pension, regardless of whether it comes from self-employment or employment. Alimony payments that you receive as a divorcee are also included in your income.
The compensatory supplement supplements the pension by the difference between total income and the standard rate. It is due 14 times a year in the amount of the difference between the sum of pension (gross), net income and any maintenance claims on the one hand and the respective standard rate on the other.
Indicative rates for the compensatory supplement per month in 2024:
- For single pensioners (also applies to widows and widowers): € 1,217.96
- For pensioners who live in the same household with their spouse or same-sex registered partner : € 1,921.46
- Increase per child whose net income does not exceed € 447.97 (not in the case of widower's or widow's pension): € 187.93
- Pensioner entitled to orphan's pension up to the age of 24: € 447.97
- Pensioners entitled to orphan's pension up to the age of 24 if both parents have died: € 672.64
- Pensioners entitled to orphan's pension after the age of 24: € 796.06
- Pensioners entitled to an orphan's pension after the age of 24 if both parents have died: € 1,217.96
When taking into account the net income for the calculation of the compensatory supplement, the amount of € 261.65 is not taken into account in the case of apprentice income.
ATTENTION: If the entitlement to the compensatory supplement or the increase therein arises later, an application to this effect must be submitted within one month. In the event of a later application, the compensatory supplement may be granted or increased retroactively at the earliest from the full calendar month preceding the application.
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Trade union vida Department of Pensioners