Payment of death benefits for war victims

Prerequisites

Relatives are entitled to benefits if they were living in the same household as the deceased at the time of death. The following order of priority applies:

1. spouse
2. life partner
3. Children
4. Parents
5. stepparents
6. Foster parents
7. grandson
8. grandparents
9. Siblings
10. siblings

If the deceased did not live in the same household with any of these persons, the death benefit is paid in equal order to the person whose maintenance the deceased was responsible for.
If there are no beneficiaries, the death benefit may be paid to the person who paid for the last illness or funeral, or who cared for the deceased until death.

Documents required

• death certificate
• Evidence of family relationship (through stud book)

Deadlines

No

Procedure

You can apply for the death benefit from the competent pension authority. Send an informal application by post or email to the responsible office. You will then be sent an application form. You can submit the required documents with the completed application.

Processing time

The death benefit is usually paid promptly upon request.

Fees

No

Legal basis

Section 37 of the Federal Pensions Act (BVG)

http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bvg/__37.html