🧮 Basic income support in old age (SGB XII) and basic pension supplement
In brief
Basic income support in old age is for people who have reached the standard retirement age, live in Germany and cannot pay for their own living costs. You apply for it at the Sozialamt (social welfare office).
The standard rate for single people is 563 euros in 2026, 506 euros each for partners. It was not increased in 2026. Other costs, for example for housing, are added (details not checked against the full text).
You must use your own assets first. According to the pension insurance, an amount of 10,000 euros (couples 20,000 euros) and the home you live in remain protected. Children only have to pay if their annual income exceeds 100,000 euros.
If you worked for a long time and receive a small pension, you often get the basic pension supplement (Grundrentenzuschlag) automatically. No application is needed for it.
Step by step
- Add up your incomePension, occupational pension, maintenance, child benefit, rent. The pension insurance gives a reference figure of 1,148 euros (stated by the DRV, no year given).
- Apply at the SozialamtAccording to the DRV, the benefit starts on the first day of the month of application. So apply early in the month.
- Have your documents readyPension notice, bank statements, rental contract, proof of assets.
- Check the noticeIf there are errors, object within one month (§ 84 SGG).
- Report changesReport a pension increase, a move or a change in assets to the office.
Deadlines
- The calculation of the standard rate will be newly regulated by law from 2027 (draft bill of the cabinet of 6 July 2026, sent to the Bundesrat). Whether the standard rate rises in 2027 is open. Not binding.
- According to the DRV the asset limit is €10,000. The ordinance on § 90 Abs. 2 Nr. 9 SGB XII was not checked against the full text.
- Basic income support in old age is not the new "Grundsicherungsgeld" (basic income support), the successor to Bürgergeld (SGB II). They are different benefits.
- Exclusion: anyone who has brought about their need for assistance intentionally or through gross negligence in the last ten years has no entitlement (§ 41 SGB XII).
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Eligible persons, § 41 SGB XII
Persons resident in Germany who cannot cover their living costs themselves and have reached the age limit. The age limit is 65 for those born before 1947 and rises in steps to 67 for those born from 1964.
Standard rates 2026
According to the federal government, the standard rates (Regelbedarfe) remain unchanged in 2026: single people 563 euros, partners 506 euros each, children under 6 years 357 euros, 14–17-year-olds 471 euros. The calculation would have given 557 euros; a protection rule for existing entitlements prevents the reduction. The cabinet took note of the ordinance on 10 September 2025; the Bundesrat approved the Regelbedarfsstufen-Fortschreibungsverordnung 2026 on 17 October 2025 (BR-Drs. 471/25); promulgated in BGBl. 2025 Nr. 243 of 22 October 2025.
Income and assets, §§ 82, 90 SGB XII; § 43 SGB XII
For income §§ 82 to 84, for assets §§ 90 and 91 SGB XII. Additional retirement provision (occupational pension, certified contracts): 100 euros plus 30 percent of the amount above that, at most 50 percent of standard rate level 1 (§ 82 Abs. 4, 5). Income from capital up to 26 euros per year can be deducted (§ 43; summary). Protected assets under § 90 include, among others, reasonable household effects, a reasonable home, smaller cash amounts, a reasonable motor vehicle.
Recourse against relatives for maintenance
According to the DRV: maintenance from children or parents is only taken into account if their annual income exceeds 100,000 euros (provision: § 94 Abs. 1a SGB XII).
Basic pension supplement
Requirement: at least 33 years of basic pension periods, full amount from 35 years. The pension insurance checks automatically; no application is needed (source: DRV page, search hit).
Scope
For basic income support in case of reduced earning capacity see the group Berufsunfähigkeit; further detail on seniors there.
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.