👵 Wegweiser Seniors

15 topic pages for older people in Germany and for everyone who advises them. 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 section In brief in plain language. Below it you will find the most important deadlines, typical mistakes and a collapsible specialist section "In depth" for advisory work with legal bases and figures.

As of September 2026. Where a statement could not be verified beyond doubt from an official source (e.g. individual euro amounts or practical values), this is expressly noted on the relevant page and in the Sources and methodology instead of being guessed. The information does not replace legal advice.

Frequently searched

👛 Applying for an old-age pension 🧾 Basic income support in old age 📋 Applying for a care level 🤝 Care benefits and care allowance 📜 Living will and power of attorney ➕ Earning extra income in retirement 🚨 Fraud and protection against rip-offs 📞 Advice and points of contact for seniors

All topic areas

🧭Overview and basicsGetting started: your rights and points of contact in old age.1 topic 💰Pensions and retirement incomeApply for an old-age pension, check notices, earn extra income.3 topics 🧑‍⚕️CareCare level, care benefits and housing options in old age.3 topics 🧾Basic income support and taxesBasic income support in old age and tax relief.2 topics 🩺HealthHealth insurance, co-payments and burden limits.1 topic 📜Advance planning and inheritance lawLiving will, power of attorney, will and inheritance law.2 topics 🛡️Consumer protection and digital mattersProtection against fraud and help with digital services.2 topics 📞Advice and points of contactWho helps with which concern.1 topic

🧭 Overview and basics

Getting started: your rights and points of contact in old age.

🧭Rights and points of contact in old age: an overviewA first overview of the rights, benefits and points of contact available in old age – and where to start with your concern.

💰 Pensions and retirement income

Apply for an old-age pension, check notices, earn extra income.

👛Applying for an old-age pensionThe old-age pension is not paid automatically – you have to apply for it, ideally about three months before your desired start date. ⚖️Objecting to a pension noticeYou can file an objection (Widerspruch) against an incorrect pension notice free of charge within one month – older errors can sometimes still be corrected by a review request. ➕Earning extra income in retirementSince 1 January 2023 there has been no earnings limit for old-age pensioners – you may earn as much extra as you like without your pension being reduced.

🧑‍⚕️ Care

Care level, care benefits and housing options in old age.

📋Applying for a care levelCare benefits are only available after a care level (Pflegegrad) has been recognised – the application to the Pflegekasse is informal and can preserve the deadline even by phone. 🤝Care benefits and care allowanceWith a recognised care level you are entitled, depending on the form of care chosen, to care allowance, care benefits in kind or a combination, plus supplementary relief benefits. 🏡Assisted living and nursing homesBetween your own home, assisted living and a nursing home there are major legal and financial differences – the care home contract is specially regulated in the Housing and Care Contracts Act (Wohn- und Betreuungsvertragsgesetz).

🧾 Basic income support and taxes

Basic income support in old age and tax relief.

🧾Basic income support in old ageIf your pension is not enough to live on, basic income support in old age tops up your income to the subsistence minimum – children are liable only if their income is very high. 📉Tax relief in old agePensions are only partly taxed, and there are separate allowances and lump sums for other income in old age and for care costs.

🩺 Health

Health insurance, co-payments and burden limits.

🩺Health insurance and co-paymentsCo-payments for medicines, therapeutic and assistive aids are capped – if you reach the burden limit, you can be exempted from further co-payments.

📜 Advance planning and inheritance law

Living will, power of attorney, will and inheritance law.

📜Living will and power of attorneyWithout a power of attorney or a living will, the guardianship court will appoint a legal guardian in an emergency – even for spouses, only a time-limited emergency right of representation has applied since 2023. 🖋️Inheritance law and wills: the basicsWithout a will, statutory succession applies, which does not automatically make the spouse sole heir – a holographic will must be written entirely by hand.

🛡️ Consumer protection and digital matters

Protection against fraud and help with digital services.

🚨Fraud and protection against rip-offsThe grandchild trick, fake police officers and doorstep sales are among the most common forms of fraud against older people – for doorstep sales, a 14-day right of withdrawal helps. 💻Digital participation and helpDigital dealings with authorities and accessible online services are meant to make everyday life easier – if you need support, you will find free learning and advice services.

📞 Advice and points of contact

Who helps with which concern.

📞Advice and points of contact for seniorsWho is responsible for what – and where can you get independent, free support with pensions, care, social benefits and legal matters?

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.