Sources and method – Seniors

These 15 topic pages are based primarily on statutory texts (gesetze-im-internet.de) on SGB VI, SGB XI, SGB XII, SGB V, BGB and EStG, supplemented by publications of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German Pension Insurance), the Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs), the Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG, Federal Ministry of Health) and the Verbraucherzentralen (consumer advice centres). The field "Belege" (references) on each topic page gives the specific sources.

Why some figures are deliberately not given here

Several benefits in old age – in particular the standard-needs levels (Regelbedarfsstufen) of basic income support in old age under SGB XII and the care allowance and care benefit in kind amounts under SGB XI – are adjusted annually or periodically by statutory ordinance. Where the euro amount applicable exactly as of September 2026 could not be verified beyond doubt from an official primary source in the course of this research, a figure was deliberately omitted and the legal mechanism described instead. This expressly does not concern the underlying sections of law, deadlines and procedural steps – these have been checked against the primary sources named.

Sources

1. Gesetze im Internet (gesetze-im-internet.de), Federal Ministry of Justice and Federal Office of Justice, retrieved September 2026: consolidated versions of SGB VI (§§ 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 77, 99, 149), SGB XI (§§ 14, 15, 18c, 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43, 43c, 45b, 7c), SGB XII (§§ 2, 41–46a, 43 Abs. 5, 44, 90 Abs. 2 Nr. 9), SGB V (§§ 5, 61, 62), SGG (§§ 84, 86b, 87, 183), SGB X (§ 44), BGB (§§ 1358, 1814, 1820, 1827, 1931, 1944, 2232, 2247, 2265 ff., 2303, 312g, 355, 356), StGB (§ 263), EStG (§§ 22, 24a, 33b), ErbStG (§ 16), WBVG (§§ 3, 11) and Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz (§ 10). Basis for all sections cited in the text.
2. Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (German Pension Insurance), leaflets and website on old-age pensions, pension applications, additional earnings and account clarification, as of 2026 (deutsche-rentenversicherung.de). Basis for the articles "Altersrente beantragen" (applying for an old-age pension), "Widerspruch gegen den Rentenbescheid" (objection to a pension decision) and "Hinzuverdienst im Rentenalter" (additional earnings in retirement).
3. Pflegeunterstützungs- und -entlastungsgesetz (PUEG), BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 155, in particular the increase of the relief amount (Entlastungsbetrag) and care allowance/care benefit in kind on 1.1.2025 by 4.5% and the increase of the housing adaptation subsidy to €4,180 on 1.1.2025. Basis for the articles "Pflegeleistungen und Pflegegeld" (care benefits and care allowance) and "Betreutes Wohnen und Pflegeheim" (assisted living and nursing homes).
4. Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS) and Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG), publications on basic income support in old age, on health insurance for pensioners and on the Relatives Relief Act (Angehörigen-Entlastungsgesetz), as of 2026 (bmas.de, bundesgesundheitsministerium.de).
5. Wachstumschancengesetz (Growth Opportunities Act), BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 108 – basis for the slower annual increase since 2023 in the taxable share of pensions and the age relief amount (Altersentlastungsbetrag).
6. Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (Federation of German Consumer Organisations), publications on the right of withdrawal for doorstep sales, scams targeting older people and digital participation, as of 2026 (verbraucherzentrale.de).
7. Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Seniorenorganisationen (BAGSO), project "Digital-Kompass" and portal "Silver Tipps", retrieved September 2026 – basis for the support services named in the article "Digitale Teilhabe und Hilfe" (digital participation and help).
8. Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (Accessibility Improvement Act), BGBl. 2021 I Nr. 43 – basis for the start of application on 28.6.2025 in the article "Digitale Teilhabe und Hilfe".

Where statements are expressly marked as uncertain

For individual figures and facts, no direct official primary source as of September 2026 could be found or cross-checked in the course of the research. This concerns in particular:

• the exact amount of standard-needs level 1 of basic income support in old age as of 1.1.2026 (the mechanism of the annual adjustment by statutory ordinance is established, the exact euro amount was deliberately not given; see "Grundsicherung im Alter" (basic income support in old age));
• the exact amount of the combined annual budget for respite care and short-term care in place since 1.7.2025 (see "Pflegeleistungen und Pflegegeld");
• a six-month prior care period as a requirement for respite care that circulates in older sources – this could not be confirmed in the current statutory text and is therefore not presented as applicable law (see "Pflegeleistungen und Pflegegeld");
• the exact euro amounts of the age relief amount (§ 24a EStG) for the birth cohort that turns 64 in 2026 (the mechanism and approximate percentage are documented, the exact maximum amount in euros was deliberately not quantified; see "Steuererleichterungen im Alter" (tax relief in old age));
• whether and to what extent there is a uniform nationwide legal entitlement to an analogue alternative to online administrative services (see "Digitale Teilhabe und Hilfe");
• the current organisational structure of the independent patient advice service at federal level, which has changed several times in recent years (see "Beratung und Anlaufstellen für Senioren" (advice and points of contact for seniors));
• the care allowance and care benefit in kind amounts by care level (Pflegegrad) raised on 1.1.2025 were researched on the basis of the PUEG increase of 4.5%, but not individually re-confirmed for September 2026 by an additional, independent official source (see "Pflegeleistungen und Pflegegeld").

In all these cases, the relevant topic page expressly states the uncertainty instead of presenting a figure or assessment as established law.

What this platform does – and what it does not

• Sections of law, deadlines and procedures come from the sources named. Nothing was added that is not substantiated there. Where a euro amount could not be reliably verified, this is stated on the relevant page instead of being guessed.
• Amounts that change annually or periodically (standard-needs levels, care benefits, tax allowances) should always be checked with the responsible office (Sozialamt (social welfare office), Pflegekasse (long-term care insurance fund), Finanzamt (tax office), Deutsche Rentenversicherung) for current figures before making a binding decision.
• Social, tax and guardianship law remains in flux in 2026; courts will clarify some questions only later. The information does not replace legal advice in individual cases.
• Deadlines are often short and run from service of the document. If in doubt, consult an advice centre, the responsible insurance fund or authority, or a lawyer immediately – see Advice and points of contact for seniors.