🩺 Wegweiser People with reduced earning capacity

If you can no longer work full-time for health reasons: reduced earning capacity pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente), rehabilitation, end of sickness benefit entitlement (Aussteuerung), basic income support and transitions, as of September 2026.

Legal status: September 2026. The additional income limits for 2026 (€20,763.75 and €41,527.50), the credited period (Zurechnungszeit) up to age 66 years 3 months for pensions starting in 2026, the pension increase of 4.24 percent on 1 July 2026 and the gradual introduction of basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) from 1 July 2026 apply. Not enacted: The recommendations of the Alterssicherungskommission (old-age security commission) on reduced earning capacity are not law. For the sources, see Sources and limits.

Frequently searched

🧭 No longer able to work full-time: the overview 🩺 Sickness benefit: 78 weeks, end of entitlement (Aussteuerung) and request to apply for rehabilitation 🔗 Unemployment benefit with reduced work capacity (Nahtlosigkeit, § 145 SGB III) 💼 Working with a reduced earning capacity pension: additional income 2026 and trial work ⏳ Temporary pension, extension and permanent status ⚖️ Rejection: objection, lawsuit, expert opinion under § 109 SGG

All topic areas

🧭OverviewWho counts as having reduced earning capacity, who pays what, what is new in 2026.2 topics 💶The pensionAmount, credited period, time limits, working alongside the pension.3 topics 📄Application and legal remediesApplication, medical assessment, notice of decision, rejection, lawsuit.2 topics 🔄Sickness benefit and transitionsEnd of entitlement (Aussteuerung), unemployment benefit during illness, basic income support.3 topics 🛠️Rehabilitation and workRehabilitation before pension, participation in working life, sheltered workshop, Budget für Arbeit.2 topics 🛡️ProtectionHealth and long-term care insurance, tax, further help.2 topics 🤝AdviceWho gives independent advice and where to find help.1 topic

🧭 Overview

Who counts as having reduced earning capacity, who pays what, what is new in 2026.

🧭No longer able to work full-time: the overviewWhen illness or disability limits your work, several offices are responsible. This page shows the order and who does what. 📅Legal position 2026: what applies, what is only proposedFigures and changes for 2026 at a glance, and what the Alterssicherungskommission recommends but is not yet law.

💶 The pension

Amount, credited period, time limits, working alongside the pension.

🧮Amount of the pension: credited period and deductionsThe reduced earning capacity pension is calculated as if you had kept working. Deductions still apply. Here is how it fits together. ⏳Temporary pension, extension and permanent statusReduced earning capacity pensions are usually granted for a limited period. Here is how long, when you must apply for an extension and when the pension becomes permanent. 💼Working with a reduced earning capacity pension: additional income 2026 and trial workYou may work alongside the pension, but only within your capacity and up to a limit. Here are the figures for 2026.

📄 Application and legal remedies

Application, medical assessment, notice of decision, rejection, lawsuit.

📋Application, medical report, assessment and pension noticeHow the pension insurance assesses your capacity, which medical documents belong with it and what to look for in the notice. ⚖️Rejection: objection, lawsuit, expert opinion under § 109 SGGIf the pension is rejected, fixed deadlines apply. This page shows the route to the social court and the option of your own expert opinion.

🔄 Sickness benefit and transitions

End of entitlement (Aussteuerung), unemployment benefit during illness, basic income support.

🩺Sickness benefit: 78 weeks, end of entitlement (Aussteuerung) and request to apply for rehabilitationSickness benefit is limited in time. Here is when it ends and what the health insurance fund may demand of you. 🔗Unemployment benefit with reduced work capacity (Nahtlosigkeit, § 145 SGB III)After sickness benefit, unemployment benefit can follow even though your health is limited. The Nahtlosigkeit rule closes gaps until the pension decision. 🏛️Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) or basic income support for reduced earning capacity: who pays whenIf the pension is not enough, basic income support is available. Whether the Jobcenter or the Sozialamt is responsible depends on whether you can still work three hours a day.

🛠️ Rehabilitation and work

Rehabilitation before pension, participation in working life, sheltered workshop, Budget für Arbeit.

🏥Rehabilitation, participation in working life and when rehabilitation becomes a pension applicationThe pension insurance first checks whether rehabilitation or help at work can help. This page shows the requirements and the reinterpretation of the application. 🏭Workshop for disabled people (Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen) and Budget für ArbeitIf the general labour market is not (yet) possible, there is sheltered employment and subsidies for employers.

🛡️ Protection

Health and long-term care insurance, tax, further help.

🩹Health insurance and long-term care insurance with a reduced earning capacity pensionWhether you are compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance for pensioners depends on your prior insurance. 🧾Tax, housing benefit, co-payment exemption and further helpWhat matters alongside the pension: tax liability, housing benefit, co-payments, severe disability and private cover.

🤝 Advice

Who gives independent advice and where to find help.

🤝Advice and contact pointsWho gives free or independent advice on reduced earning capacity: pension insurance, EUTB and other bodies.

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.

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.