With disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung, BU) you must decide until which age the cover should run. The usual choices are an end age of 65 and an end age of 67. Both have advantages and drawbacks, and the decision depends on how long you want to work and how much protection you need.
In short: An end age of 65 is usually cheaper but ends earlier. For people born in 1964 or later, the standard retirement age is 67. With an end age of 67, cover therefore runs until that limit, but the premium is generally higher. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- The end age defines how long the BU benefit applies to a claim.
- For people born in 1964 or later, the standard retirement age is 67 (§ 35 SGB VI).
- An end age of 65 can leave a gap between 65 and 67 if you are still working.
- An end age of 67 extends cover but generally costs more in premium.
- A worked example with stated assumptions shows how total costs change over the term.
What the end age actually governs
Disability insurance pays a pension if you become occupationally disabled under § 172 VVG during the agreed term. The end age sets the end of that term. Once you reach it, cover ends, even if you are still working. The premium in turn depends on how many years the insurer is likely to pay out.
The distinction from the start of the state pension matters here. The end age of a BU policy is a contractual figure. The start of the statutory pension depends on the law and on your year of birth. The two do not necessarily coincide, and that is exactly where the question of a gap arises.
The standard retirement age as an anchor
The standard retirement age in the statutory pension insurance is set by § 35 SGB VI. For people born in 1964 or later it is 67. This figure is the anchor for how long you could realistically be working. The German Pension Insurance explains the rule on its page on the standard retirement pension.
Reduced earning capacity pension under § 43 SGB VI runs until the standard retirement age. If you cannot work at 66, you may therefore be entitled to this pension if the conditions are met, but a private BU policy with an end age of 65 no longer pays in that case. Our guide on the reduced earning capacity pension for students explains the basics.
End age 65 or 67: the comparison
The table below sets out both options. The figures are an assumption used only for comparison and do not refer to any specific offer.
| Feature | End age 65 | End age 67 |
|---|---|---|
| Cover period if you start at 30 (assumption) | 35 years | 37 years |
| Monthly premium (assumption) | 75 euros | 84 euros |
| Total premiums over the term (assumption, without adjustments) | 31,500 euros | 37,296 euros |
| Cover between 65 and 67 | None | Included, provided you are disabled |
| Suits you if | You expect to leave your occupation around 65 | You want cover up to the standard retirement age |
In this example the total premiums differ by around 5,800 euros. The calculation is simplified: it ignores premium adjustments, dynamic increases and inflation. It does show how a small monthly difference adds up over many years.
What you lose with an end age of 65, and what you do not
With an end age of 65 you lose cover for the years between 65 and 67. This matters mainly if you are still working in that period, for example as a doctor, pharmacist or graduate with a long career. Someone who is certain to stop at 65 loses less.
Benefits up to the end age itself are not lost. The terms, the health check and the occupational group remain unchanged unless you adjust them. It is also important to note that an end age does not determine when you retire. Other rules do that.
What to consider when deciding
The right choice depends on your career path. The questions below help you find a direction. They do not replace an individual check.
- How long do you expect or need to work, and what will you be doing then?
- How important is this cover for your income if you cannot work at 66?
- Does the premium fit your budget over the long term, even if your circumstances change?
- Is there a dynamic or an adjustment option that would let you revisit the end age later?
An end age cannot always be changed after the event. Check at the outset which options your contract provides. Our guide on BU dynamics explains how such adjustments work together.
Timing matters here too. Those who enter full-time work late, after a doctorate or a specialist training, may cover a shorter period than they actually work. This is worth bearing in mind when you plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is end age 67 always the better choice?
Not necessarily. End age 67 protects you for longer but usually costs more. If you are certain your occupation will end earlier, or if you cannot carry the higher premium, end age 65 may suit you better. The decision is a trade-off between protection need and budget.
Can I change the end age later?
That depends on the tariff. Some contracts allow a change, others do not, or only with a new health check. Ask explicitly about the conditions for an adjustment before you sign.
How does the end age relate to reduced earning capacity pension?
Under § 43 SGB VI, the statutory reduced earning capacity pension runs until the standard retirement age. BU is a private contract with its own end age. The two systems only partly complement each other, so it is worth looking at both.
Do I have to set the end age when the contract starts?
Yes, the end age is recorded in the contract. It forms the basis for the term and the premium. A later change is only possible if the tariff provides for it.
What to do now
- Clarify until when you expect to work and which activity you will then carry out.
- Ask for the premium and the total sum in euros for both end ages in writing.
- Check whether the contract includes a later adjustment option or a post-insurance guarantee.
- If you are unsure, get personal advice before you commit.
Related guides
- Reduced earning capacity pension: what the state pays students
- BU pension: how high should it be as a student?
- Post-insurance guarantee: increasing BU cover after starting work
- Pausing or reducing the BU premium
- BU dynamics and inflation protection explained
For a personal assessment of your end age, Academycon is available via this page.
Sources: § 35 SGB VI, standard retirement pension, German Pension Insurance, status October 2026; § 43 SGB VI, reduced earning capacity pension, gesetze-im-internet.de, status October 2026; § 172 Insurance Contract Act (VVG), gesetze-im-internet.de, status October 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
