Widow’s pension is a financial backstop for many, but its calculation and rules may not always be clear. If you are already receiving another pension, will you receive a widow’s pension? And under what circumstances can you lose it? Everything you need to know can be found in this article.

How much money will I get? Calculation of widow’s pension

The amount of the widow’s pension according to the social insurance company is 60% of the deceased spouse’s pensionto which he was or would have been entitled on the date of death. The basis of the calculation is the old-age, premature old-age or disability pension that the spouse received or would be entitled to.

Important factors in the calculation are:

  • Number of years during which pension insurance was paid.
  • The amount of the husband’s gross earnings during his working life.

I receive another pension. Will I also get a widow’s?

Here comes an important rule: If you are already entitled to another pension, you will not receive the full amount of the widow’s pension. In this case, you will receive the full amount of the pension that is higher, and the lower one is paid only half.

Example:

  • If the amount of your old-age pension is lower than the widow’s pension, you will receive the widow’s pension in full and the old-age pension in half.

How long can I receive a widow’s pension?

By default, you are entitled to a widow’s pension only two years since the death of her husband. However, there are exceptions when the widow’s pension is paid even after this period:

  • And you reach retirement age (on the condition that you do not enter into a new marriage).
  • If you are looking after a dependent child who is entitled to an orphan’s pension.
  • If she is a widow invalid with a decrease in the ability to work by more than 70%.
  • If she brought up three children or:
    • At least she finished 52 years and raised two children.
    • At least she finished 57 years and raised one child.

When will I lose my widow’s pension? Beware of these situations!

The widow’s pension may cease in the following cases:

  1. If you close new marriage.
  2. If you cause the death of your husband intentional crime – extinction on the date of validity of the court decision.

Important notice: Entitlement to the payment of a widow’s pension or its part expires after three years from the day for which this pension belonged.

Receiving a widow’s pension has its own strict rules. If you already have another pension, prepare for the fact that one of them will be reduced. On the other hand, you can receive a widow’s pension even longer if you meet certain conditions. Follow these rules carefully so you don’t lose the financial support you deserve.

Widow’s pension: Your security in difficult times. Everything you need to know about entitlement and payment