Reduced earning capacity (Erwerbsminderung) is a term from the statutory pension insurance. It means that, because of illness or disability, you can no longer work to the extent that is usual on the general labour market. Entitlement to a pension does not depend on your profession but on the number of hours you can work each day. This entry explains the levels, the requirements and the difference from private occupational disability insurance.
Short answer: Under § 43 SGB VI, you are partially reduced in earning capacity if, because of illness or disability and for a period that cannot be foreseen, you cannot work at least six hours a day. You are fully reduced in earning capacity if you cannot work at least three hours a day. Last updated: October 2026, statutory text as published on gesetze-im-internet.de.
The key points in brief
- The reduced earning capacity pension is a benefit of the statutory pension insurance.
- There are two levels: partial and full reduced earning capacity.
- The benchmark is your ability to work under usual conditions, not your learned profession.
- The thresholds are six hours (partial) and three hours (full) a day.
- Compulsory contributions and the waiting period determine whether an entitlement exists.
What does the term mean?
Reduced earning capacity means that, for health reasons and for a period that cannot be foreseen, you can no longer work to the usual extent. The pension is governed by § 43 SGB VI. The law looks at your general capacity for work. Your learned profession plays no role in the assessment under this provision, even though in practice it shapes everyday life considerably.
If you already pay compulsory contributions during your studies, for example through employment, it is worth understanding how these connections work. An overview is provided in our guide Pension insurance for students in Germany: rules.
The levels at a glance
| Level | Threshold under § 43 SGB VI | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Not reduced in earning capacity | At least 6 hours a day possible under usual conditions | No entitlement to a reduced earning capacity pension (§ 43 para. 3) |
| Partially reduced in earning capacity | Not at least 6 hours a day possible | Pension until the statutory retirement age (§ 43 para. 1) |
| Fully reduced in earning capacity | Not at least 3 hours a day possible | Pension due to full reduced earning capacity (§ 43 para. 2) |
Source of the table: § 43 SGB VI, accessed October 2026. The figures are statutory thresholds, not worked examples.
What requirements apply?
- Three years of compulsory contributions must exist in the last five years (§ 43 para. 1 SGB VI).
- The general waiting period must be fulfilled.
- Periods without compulsory contributions, such as credited periods or school training periods after the age of 17, can extend the five-year window (§ 43 para. 4 SGB VI).
- If you work alongside a pension in a way that exceeds your capacity for work, you generally keep the entitlement for six months (§ 43 para. 7 SGB VI).
How it differs from private occupational disability insurance
The statutory reduced earning capacity pension is not the same as a private occupational disability insurance. Occupational disability is measured against your last practised profession (§ 172 VVG), while reduced earning capacity is measured against your general capacity for work. If you review your cover, consider the two systems separately. The private side is explained in our glossary entry Glossary: Berufsunfähigkeit explained simply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get a reduced earning capacity pension if I cannot find a job in my field?
No. Reduced earning capacity does not ask about your field but about whether you can work at least six hours a day under usual conditions. The situation on the labour market remains expressly disregarded under § 43 para. 3 SGB VI.
Which periods count towards the five-year window?
The law names credited periods (Anrechnungszeiten), consideration periods (Berücksichtigungszeiten) and school training periods after the age of 17 as examples (§ 43 para. 4 SGB VI). The German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) checks whether a particular period counts in your insurance record.
Where can I have my entitlement checked?
The German Pension Insurance processes applications and provides information on your insurance record. If health problems and compulsory contributions coincide, an assessment is worthwhile before you make any decisions.
Does the reduced earning capacity pension help with occupational disability in my contract?
Not automatically. Both benefits follow their own rules. The reduced earning capacity pension does not replace private cover, and occupational disability insurance is not assessed under SGB VI.
Related reading
- Pension insurance for students in Germany: rules
- Student job 20-hour rule, pension and semester breaks
- Disability insurance for students: costs and start
- PKV health check: what you need to know
Sources: § 43 SGB VI: Pension due to reduced earning capacity (accessed October 2026); § 172 VVG: Benefits of the insurer (accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
