Witwenrente & eigene Rente Rechner
Use this quick estimator to see how your own monthly income can affect a widow's pension (Witwenrente). It uses a simplified model based on common German calculation logic.
Hinweis: Dies ist ein vereinfachter Online-Rechner und ersetzt keine Auskunft der Deutschen Rentenversicherung. Freibeträge ändern sich regelmäßig; bitte prüfen Sie aktuelle Werte und Sonderregeln (z. B. Sterbevierteljahr, Kinderzuschläge, altes/neues Recht).
How the calculator works
The core question in witwenrente und eigene rente is straightforward: How much of your own income is counted against the widow's pension? In many cases, the widow's pension starts from a base amount (for example, 55% of the deceased spouse's pension), and then a portion of income above a personal allowance is deducted.
This page gives you a practical estimate so you can compare scenarios quickly before contacting an official pension office.
Key concepts you should know
1) Base widow's pension (Grundbetrag)
The base amount is usually a percentage of the deceased person's pension entitlement:
- Große Witwenrente: commonly 55%
- Kleine Witwenrente: commonly 25%
- Old-law cases: often 60% (simplified here)
2) Allowance (Freibetrag)
Your own income is not fully counted. First, a monthly allowance is subtracted. Anything above this allowance is considered excess income. The allowance level depends on legal rules and can differ by region and year.
3) Income deduction
A common simplified rule is that 40% of excess income is deducted from the widow's pension. That is exactly what this calculator applies:
- Excess income = max(0, own income − allowance)
- Deduction = 40% of excess income
- Final widow's pension = max(0, base pension − deduction)
Example calculation
Assume the deceased pension is €1,800, you qualify for the large widow's pension (55%), and your own monthly pension is €950. If your allowance is €1,038.05 (West example value in this tool), your own income does not exceed the allowance. Result: no deduction, so the widow's pension remains at the base amount.
Why planning matters
Even a moderate increase in your own pension or employment income can reduce widow's pension payments. A simple scenario analysis can help with:
- retirement timing decisions,
- part-time vs. full-time income planning,
- budget forecasting after bereavement,
- coordination with private pensions and savings.
Important limitations
Real pension cases can involve additional factors: netting methods, income types, tax treatment, child supplements, transition law, and temporary special periods. Therefore this tool is best used as a first estimate, not as a legally binding result.
Checklist before requesting an official pension review
- Prepare pension statements (both spouses).
- List all monthly income sources clearly.
- Document children-related entitlements.
- Confirm whether old-law or new-law widow's pension rules apply.
- Ask for a written projection from the pension authority.
Final thought
A good witwenrente und eigene rente rechner helps you understand direction and magnitude quickly. Use this estimate for orientation, then verify every detail with official institutions so you can make confident long-term decisions.