Wegweiser Seniors · Rights & Benefits Deutsch

📞 Advice and points of contact for seniors

Who is responsible for what – and where can you get independent, free support with pensions, care, social benefits and legal matters?

care support centre (Pflegestützpunkt) 7c SGB XI pension adviser (Rentenberater) 10 RDG welfare association (Sozialverband) Verbraucherzentrale

In brief

For almost every concern in old age there is independent, free advice: Pflegestützpunkte for care questions, the Deutsche Rentenversicherung for pensions, welfare associations such as VdK or SoVD for members, Verbraucherzentralen for contract and fraud questions, and Betreuungsvereine (guardianship associations) for advance planning questions. Commercial offers that charge money for pension advice may only provide such advice with a licence as a registered pension adviser (Rentenberater).

Step by step

  1. Classify the topicClarify whether it is about pensions, care, social assistance, advance planning/inheritance law or consumer protection.
  2. Choose the right officeChoose an independent and free advice centre instead of turning to commercial offers of unknown origin.
  3. Make an appointmentMake an appointment and bring relevant documents (notices, contracts, insurance records).
  4. Bring in specialists as wellIf needed, additionally bring in a specialist lawyer, notary or tax adviser, for example for a will or tax questions.

Deadlines

Watch out – common mistakes
  • Pflegestützpunkte, the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, guardianship authorities and Verbraucherzentralen advise free of charge – be sceptical of paid offers that pose as official advice.
  • Under the Legal Services Act (Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz), pension advice outside the Deutsche Rentenversicherung and the authorised associations may only be provided by registered pension advisers.
  • The status and sponsorship of the nationwide independent patient advice service have changed several times in recent years; the current organisational structure was not conclusively checked in this research – ask the Federal Ministry of Health or your health insurer for current contact details.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Pflegestützpunkte (§ 7c SGB XI)

Pflegestützpunkte offer local, provider-independent advice on care and support services and have been set up across most Länder.

Registered pension advisers (§ 10 RDG)

Under the Legal Services Act, legal services in pension matters outside the statutory pension insurance and the welfare associations may only be provided by pension advisers registered with the competent authority.

Welfare associations

Welfare associations such as the Sozialverband VdK or the Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD) offer their members advice and support with objections and lawsuits in pension, care and severe disability matters.

Who is responsible
  • Pflegestützpunkte
  • Deutsche Rentenversicherung
  • Sozialämter (social welfare offices)
  • Verbraucherzentralen
  • Betreuungsvereine/-behörden (guardianship associations/authorities)
  • Welfare associations (VdK, SoVD)
Further reading
Rights and points of contact in old age: an overviewBasic income support in old ageApplying for a care level

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Advice and points of contact for seniors“?
Who is responsible for what – and where can you get independent, free support with pensions, care, social benefits and legal matters?
What should I do first?
  • Classify the topic: Clarify whether it is about pensions, care, social assistance, advance planning/inheritance law or consumer protection.
  • Choose the right office: Choose an independent and free advice centre instead of turning to commercial offers of unknown origin.
  • Make an appointment: Make an appointment and bring relevant documents (notices, contracts, insurance records).
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Pflegestützpunkte, the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, guardianship authorities and Verbraucherzentralen advise free of charge – be sceptical of paid offers that pose as official advice.
  • Under the Legal Services Act (Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz), pension advice outside the Deutsche Rentenversicherung and the authorised associations may only be provided by registered pension advisers.
  • The status and sponsorship of the nationwide independent patient advice service have changed several times in recent years; the current organisational structure was not conclusively checked in this research – ask the Federal Ministry of Health or your health insurer for current contact details.
Evidence
  • § 7c SGB XI (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • § 10 Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz – RDG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • BAGSO/BMAS, directories of advice centres, as of 2026
As of

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.