Wegweiser Occupational disability · Pension & insurance Deutsch

📞 Advice and contact points for occupational disability

Whether pension advice, a social association or independent insurance advice – for occupational disability there is a suitable, often free, contact point for every concern.

Pension advice Insurance Ombudsman Social association Consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale)

In brief

For questions about the statutory reduced earning capacity pension, the information and advice centres of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung advise free of charge; registered pension advisers (Rentenberater) will, for a fee, also handle complex objection and court proceedings. Social associations such as VdK or SoVD often also represent their members in such proceedings.

In a dispute with a private BU insurer, the Versicherungsombudsmann e.V. is the right, free contact point. Consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentralen) offer independent insurance advice, in part for a fee. If basic income support (Grundsicherung) is in question, municipal social advice centres can help.

Step by step

  1. Classify your concernIs it about the pension procedure or a private insurance contract? The right contact point depends on this.
  2. For pension questions: contact DRV advice or a social associationAdvice from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung is free of charge.
  3. In a dispute with the private insurer: contact the Insurance OmbudsmanFree of charge and independent, before a lawsuit is considered.
  4. Bring in legal representation if neededA specialist lawyer for social law or insurance law, if applicable with legal expenses insurance or legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe).

Deadlines

No statutory deadline
Advice can in principle be used at any time. However, the underlying procedures (objection, lawsuit) have their own deadlines – see the respective topic pages.
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Social associations such as VdK or SoVD generally require a membership – often one that already existed before the dispute – before they represent you in objection or court proceedings; joining only after receiving the rejection notice is often too late for the matter in progress.
  • The Insurance Ombudsman can only be called upon in disputes with your own private insurer, not on questions about the statutory pension – DRV advice centres or social courts are responsible for that.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

DRV information and advice centres

The Deutsche Rentenversicherung advises free of charge on all questions about the statutory pension, including the reduced earning capacity pension, rehabilitation and account clarification.

Versicherungsombudsmann e.V. (Insurance Ombudsman)

The ombudsman is responsible for disputes between consumers and their insurer, including in private occupational disability insurance; the procedure is free of charge for the person making the complaint.

Social associations and specialist lawyers

Social associations often offer their members legal advice and representation in social law proceedings; in disputes under private law about BU, a specialist lawyer for insurance law is usually the more suitable contact point.

Who is responsible
  • Deutsche Rentenversicherung
  • Versicherungsombudsmann e.V.
  • Social associations
  • Consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentralen)
Further reading
Objection against the rejection notice for the reduced earning capacity pensionReview, objection and lawsuit in private occupational disability insurance

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Advice and contact points for occupational disability“?
Whether pension advice, a social association or independent insurance advice – for occupational disability there is a suitable, often free, contact point for every concern.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
No statutory deadline: Advice can in principle be used at any time. However, the underlying procedures (objection, lawsuit) have their own deadlines – see the respective topic pages.
What should I do first?
  • Classify your concern: Is it about the pension procedure or a private insurance contract? The right contact point depends on this.
  • For pension questions: contact DRV advice or a social association: Advice from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung is free of charge.
  • In a dispute with the private insurer: contact the Insurance Ombudsman: Free of charge and independent, before a lawsuit is considered.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Social associations such as VdK or SoVD generally require a membership – often one that already existed before the dispute – before they represent you in objection or court proceedings; joining only after receiving the rejection notice is often too late for the matter in progress.
  • The Insurance Ombudsman can only be called upon in disputes with your own private insurer, not on questions about the statutory pension – DRV advice centres or social courts are responsible for that.
Evidence
  • Rules of Procedure of the Versicherungsombudsmann e.V. (§ 12 VomVO), versicherungsombudsmann.de
  • Public self-descriptions of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, VdK, SoVD and the consumer advice centres (information on responsibilities)
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.