🧭 Wegweiser Occupational disability

15 topic pages on occupational disability in Germany: from the statutory reduced earning capacity pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente) and private occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) to basic income support, taxes and protection against dismissal. Each page first explains the topic briefly and clearly – and below that in detail, with deadlines, legal bases and figures.

How this page works. At the top you can search all topics by keyword. Each topic page begins with the In brief section in plain language. Below that you will find the most important deadlines, typical mistakes and a collapsible specialist section, "In depth", for advice work with legal bases and figures.

As of September 2026. Where a figure could not be verified beyond doubt from official sources (e.g. individual euro amounts, rejection rates or press announcements about future changes in the law), this is stated explicitly on the page in question instead of guessing. The information does not replace legal advice.

Frequently searched

🧭 Reduced earning capacity pension and private occupational disability insurance compared 📝 Reduced earning capacity pension: requirements, qualifying period and application 📄 Private occupational disability insurance: contract basics 🚫 Rejection and referral to another occupation in private occupational disability insurance ⚖️ Objection against the rejection notice for the reduced earning capacity pension 🛟 Basic income support in old age and in case of reduced earning capacity 🏦 Occupational disability in Riester and Rürup contracts 📞 Advice and contact points for occupational disability

All topic areas

🧭Overview and basicsReduced earning capacity pension and private occupational disability insurance compared.1 topic ⚖️Statutory reduced earning capacity pensionRequirements, rehabilitation before pension, objection, additional income.4 topics 🛟Safety-net benefitsBasic income support when the pension is not enough.1 topic 📄Private occupational disability insuranceContract basics, rejection, referral to another occupation, review.3 topics 💶Money and taxesTax treatment, Riester and Rürup in case of occupational disability.2 topics 🏢Workplace and special situationsProtection against dismissal, BEM (workplace reintegration management), severe disability card.2 topics 🧑‍💼Special groupsOccupational disability of self-employed people.1 topic 📞Advice and contact pointsWho helps with which concern.1 topic

🧭 Overview and basics

Reduced earning capacity pension and private occupational disability insurance compared.

🧭Reduced earning capacity pension and private occupational disability insurance comparedThe statutory reduced earning capacity pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente) and private occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) test different things and often do not pay the same amount – so they complement each other rather than replace each other.

⚖️ Statutory reduced earning capacity pension

Requirements, rehabilitation before pension, objection, additional income.

📝Reduced earning capacity pension: requirements, qualifying period and applicationIf you can no longer work at least six hours a day on the general labour market because of illness or disability, you may be eligible for a pension due to reduced earning capacity – provided the qualifying period and the insurance requirements are met. 🩺Rehabilitation before pensionBefore the Deutsche Rentenversicherung grants a reduced earning capacity pension, it must examine whether medical or vocational rehabilitation can maintain or restore the capacity to work – the principle of "rehabilitation before pension" (Reha vor Rente). ⚖️Objection against the rejection notice for the reduced earning capacity pensionIf the reduced earning capacity pension is rejected, granted too low or limited for too short a period, you can lodge an objection (Widerspruch) within one month – what usually matters most is a further, well-founded medical opinion. ➕Additional income with the reduced earning capacity pensionEven with a reduced earning capacity pension you may earn additional income within certain limits without the pension being reduced – since 2023 much more generous rules apply than before.

🛟 Safety-net benefits

Basic income support when the pension is not enough.

🛟Basic income support in old age and in case of reduced earning capacityIf you are permanently fully unable to work and your income and assets are not enough to live on, you can apply for basic income support (Grundsicherung) under SGB XII, in addition to or instead of a reduced earning capacity pension that is too low.

📄 Private occupational disability insurance

Contract basics, rejection, referral to another occupation, review.

📄Private occupational disability insurance: contract basicsPrivate occupational disability insurance pays out if you are expected to be unable, for at least six months, to practise the occupation you last worked in to a degree set in the contract – the exact conditions are in the small print. 🚫Rejection and referral to another occupation in private occupational disability insuranceIf the insurer rejects the BU pension, it often refers you to another occupation – what matters is the difference between an abstract referral, usually excluded in modern policy terms, and a permissible concrete referral. 🔁Review, objection and lawsuit in private occupational disability insuranceEven after a rejection it is not automatically over: you can object to the insurer, turn to the Insurance Ombudsman free of charge or sue – and the insurer can also review ongoing BU pensions in a review procedure (Nachprüfungsverfahren).

💶 Money and taxes

Tax treatment, Riester and Rürup in case of occupational disability.

💶Taxes on the reduced earning capacity pension and private BU pensionLike the old-age pension, the statutory reduced earning capacity pension is taxed on a deferred basis, while benefits from private occupational disability insurance are treated differently depending on the contract design. 🏦Occupational disability in Riester and Rürup contractsRiester and Rürup pensions can optionally be supplemented with cover for reduced earning capacity – currently up to 20 percent of total contributions; reports of a possible restriction from 2027 could not be confirmed against the law as currently in force.

🏢 Workplace and special situations

Protection against dismissal, BEM (workplace reintegration management), severe disability card.

🏢Protection against dismissal and workplace reintegration management (BEM)If you are absent for a long time because of illness, you are not automatically without protection against dismissal – before a dismissal on grounds of illness, employers must offer workplace reintegration management (betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement) and meet strict requirements. 🪪Severe disability card and reduced earning capacity: how the two are connectedA severe disability card (Schwerbehindertenausweis) and a reduced earning capacity pension are determined independently of each other and by different standards – one is not a requirement for the other, but they can usefully complement each other.

🧑‍💼 Special groups

Occupational disability of self-employed people.

🧑‍💼Occupational disability among self-employed peopleMost self-employed people are not covered by statutory pension insurance and, without private provision, fall back on basic income support (Grundsicherung) in case of occupational disability – early private cover is all the more important here.

📞 Advice and contact points

Who helps with which concern.

📞Advice and contact points for occupational disabilityWhether pension advice, a social association or independent insurance advice – for occupational disability there is a suitable, often free, contact point for every concern.

For reference

📕Keyword indexAll terms from A to Z, with links to the matching topic pages. 📜Sources and methodWhere the information comes from and what is expressly uncertain. 🏠Other target groupsTo the overview of all Wegweiser portals.

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