2,000 euros pension – how much widow’s pension do you get?

How much widow’s pension do you get at 2,000 euros pension? (Image: Age Cymru, unsplash)

When the spouse dies, in addition to the emotional burden, the question of financial security often quickly arises.

The widow’s pension is then particularly important. But how much widow’s pension do you get if your partner has received a pension of 2,000 euros? The answer is not overall – because the amount depends on many factors: the time of marriage, their age, whether children are brought up and how high their own income is.

In this comprehensive guide, we explain step by step how the widow’s pension is calculated at a pension of 2,000 euros, which legal basics apply, which income is counted and how long you will receive the service.

So you know exactly what you are entitled to – and what you need to consider so as not to risk any financial disadvantages.

Basics: What is the widow’s pension – and who is entitled to?

The widow or widower’s pension is a service from the statutory pension insurance and serves the financial security of bereaved.

Spouses or registered life partners are entitled to this if the deceased partner has already acquired pension claims or has received a statutory pension.

Approach at a glance:

• The deceased must have been insured for at least five years (waiting time fulfilled)
• The marriage or civil partnership existed at the time of death
• The marriage must usually have existed at least one year (exceptions to accident death or the like)
• The bereaved must submit an application to the German pension insurance – automatic payment is not made

The widow’s pension is paid in two forms: as a small or large widow’s pension. Which can be considered for you essentially depends on your age, your disability and the upbringing of minors.

The dying quarter of the year: transitional regulation with full pension

In the first three months after the death of your partner – the so -called death quarter – you will receive the full pension that your late partner recently moved into. With a pension of 2,000 euros, this is concrete:

Widow’s pension in dying quarter: 2,000 euros per month

Important: During this time, your own income is not counted. The aim is to keep your back on your back financially in the first months after the death so that you can concentrate on coping with grief and all organizational steps.

After the end of the death quarter, the changeover to the regular widow’s pension – either small or large – and a possible crediting of your own income takes place.

Small or large widow’s pension: What is it entitled to?

After the quarter of a year, it depends on whether you receive the small or large widow’s pension.

The small widow’s pension Get if:

• They are younger than 47 years (as of 2025; age limit is raised annually)
• They are not disabled
• They do not raise children under the age of 18

The amount of the small widow’s pension is 25 % of the retired partner’s pension. With a pension of 2,000 euros, this is:

Small widow’s pension: 500 euros per month

According to new law (applies to marriages from 2002 and for partners on both sides of 1962), the payment of the small widow’s pension is limited to 24 calendar months. According to old law, it can be paid indefinitely.

The big widow’s pension is paid if:

• They are at least 46 years and 4 months old (as of 2025, raising by 2029 to 47 years)
• or they are disabled
• or raise a child under the age of 18

The large widow’s pension is:

• 55 % of the pension of the deceased (new law) = 1,100 euros
• 60 % of the pension of the deceased (old law) = 1,200 euros

This service is paid indefinitely as long as the requirements are met. It is therefore a permanent financial security for many years – in some cases even for life.

New or old law: this applies to your marriage

Which pension law applies to you is crucial for the amount and duration of the widow’s pension.

The old law is often cheaper for survivors, as it enables a higher pension quota (60 % instead of 55 %) and unlimited small widow’s pension.

Income billing: How does your income affect the widow’s pension?

After the quarter of the year, your own income is counted towards the widow’s pension.

This is to ensure that the widow’s pension is only paid if there is actually a financial needs.

Among other things, the income includes:

• Own legal pension
• Company or private pensions
• Professional income (e.g. mini job, part -time, independent)
• Income from rental or capital income

Important: There is a monthly allowance that is 1,038.05 euros in 2025. Only 40 % of income above this amount is counted towards the widow’s pension.

Example: 2,000 euros pension – how much widow’s pension do you get?

If your partner has received a legal pension of 2,000 euros a month, the question arises: How much widow’s pension do you actually actually have?

The answer depends on Whether you are the small or large widow’s pension preserved – and whether they own income have that is counted towards the survivor’s pension.

The calculation formula is clearly regulated in the law. It is crucial:

• Large widow’s pension (new law): 55 % of the pension of the deceased → 1,100 euros gross

• Free allowance for your own income: 1,038.05 euros per month (as of July 2024)

• Correction: 40 % of the amount that lies above the allowance

We will show you two typical cases of how to credge your own income.

Example 1: Own pension under the allowance

Sabine (67) After the death of her husband, receives the Big widow’s pension. Her husband had an old -age pension of 2,000 euros per month. Sabine gets a small pension from 1,000 euros per month.

Calculation:

• Big widow’s pension: 1,100 euros (55 % of 2,000 euros)

• Own income: 1,000 euros

• Free allowance: 1,038.05 euros

• Result: income is below the allowance → No reduction in the widow’s pension

Sabine receives the full widow’s pension of 1,100 euros.

Example 2: Own pension above the allowance

Mr. Müller (72) is widowed.

His deceased wife recently received a legal pension from 2,000 euros per month. Mr. Müller fulfills the requirements for the large widower’s pension under new law.

He receives a separate pension of 1,600 euros per month.

Calculation:

• Large widower’s pension: 1,100 euros (55 % of 2,000 euros)

• Own income: 1,600 euros

• Free allowance: 1,038.05 euros

• Exceeding amount: € 1,600 – € 1,038.05 = € 561.95

• Correction (40 %): € 561.95 × 0.4 = € 224.78

• Payout amount: € 1,100 – € 224.78 = € 875.22

Mr. Müller receives a shortened widower’s pension of EUR 875.22 per month.

Important to know: Even with its own income, there is a right to widow or widower’s pension- as long as it is not far above the allowance. The crediting is moderately and ensures that your own income and widow’s pension complement itself.

Children’s surcharges increase the widow’s pension

If you educate underage children, you will receive a child surcharge in addition to the widow’s pension:

• 36 euros per month for the first child
• 18 euros for each additional child

These amounts are paid until the youngest child’s majority and noticeably increase financial security.

Duration: When does the widow’s pension end?

The widow’s pension ends:

• At Marriage or justification for a new registered civil partnership
• If the Prerequisites no longer exist (e.g. elimination of child rearing)

In the event of marriage, you will receive one Compensation in the amount of 24 monthly amounts the previous widow’s pension. This one -off payment is intended to make the transition to a new phase of life easier.

Conclusion: widow’s pension at 2,000 euros pension – it is worth calculating individually

The question “How much widow’s pension do I get at 2000 euros pension?” Can’t be answered across the board – but it can be calculated pretty carefully.

Their age, their ability to work, child rearing, the year of marriage and their own income are decisive.

Tip: Arrange personal advice from the German Pension Insurance or use an official widow’s pension computer online. This is how you avoid mistakes when applying and secure the services that you are entitled to.