Widow's or Widower's Pension

Following the death of a spouse, you are entitled, upon application, to receive a widow's or widower's pension, if the deceased spouse was drawing a pension until the time of death, or had completed the qualifying period of five years or where this was fulfilled prematurely (by an occupational accident, for example).

In order to be able to receive this pension, you must have been married at least one year prior to the time of death. This minimum period of one year is not applicable only if you were married prior to 1st January 2002 or the marriage was not made for the purpose of drawing benefits.

The widow's or widower's pension can be paid as a small or a large pension. To be entitled to the large pension you must be

-at least 45 years old or

-have reduced earning capacity or

-be raising your own child or a child of the deceased, the said child not yet having reached the age of 18 or

-live in a household with your own child or child of the deceased, the said child not being able to look after him/herself by reason of physical, mental or psychological disability.

The prescribed age for entitlement to receive a large widow's or widower's pension in the event of a death will from 31st December 2011 be incrementally increased to 47 years.

If the conditions for a large widow's or widower's pension are not fulfilled, you will be entitled to a small widow's or widower's pension. This is paid for a maximum period of 2 calendar months following the death of the insured person. It equals 25 percent of the insured pension. The large widow's or widower's pension is paid indefinitely. It will usually amount to 55 percent of the contributor's pension.

If you were married before the 1st January 2002 and one of the spouses was born before the 2nd January 1962, the small widow's or widower's pension will also be paid indefinitely.

If you remarry as a widow or widower, your entitlement to a survivor's pension is extinguished. You are entitled, upon application, to receive lump-sum compensation for your pension. This is 24 times the average amount of the pension of the last twelve months.

If you have remarried and the new marriage is dissolved, you are entitled to receive a widow's or widower's pension in respect of the previous spouse before the last (now dissolved) marriage. Possible benefits from the second marriage will be accounted for.