Short answer: Under § 48 SGB VI, the orphan’s pension (Waisenrente) is paid until the 18th birthday and, during school or vocational training, until the 27th birthday. Training only counts if it takes more than 20 hours per week. Under BAföG (Germany’s federal study grant), 270 euros or 190 euros of the pension remain exempt from offsetting, depending on the case (status October 2026, applicable law). The rest is counted as income by the BAföG office.
If you study as a half-orphan or full orphan, the orphan’s pension often continues during your degree, but not without limits. This guide explains until when the pension is paid, which training counts and how the pension affects your BAföG.
The key points in brief
- A half-orphan’s pension is paid when one parent has died and the other parent is alive and obliged to pay maintenance (§ 48 para. 1 SGB VI).
- A full orphan’s pension is paid when both parents have died (§ 48 para. 2 SGB VI).
- The pension generally ends at 18. During school or vocational training it can run until 27 (§ 48 para. 4 SGB VI).
- Training only counts if its actual time requirement is more than 20 hours per week.
- In BAföG, 270 or 190 euros of the pension remain exempt from offsetting. The rest counts as income (§ 23 para. 4 BAföG).
Half-orphan’s or full orphan’s pension?
The type of pension depends on whether one parent or both parents have died. For the half-orphan’s pension under § 48 para. 1 SGB VI, the deceased parent must have met the general qualifying period (allgemeine Wartezeit), and the surviving parent must be obliged to pay maintenance. For the full orphan’s pension under § 48 para. 2 SGB VI, there is no surviving parent obliged to pay, but the qualifying period of the deceased still applies.
Stepchildren and foster children who lived in the household of the deceased can, under § 48 para. 3 SGB VI, also be entitled in some cases. The German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) decides based on the information in your application.
Until when is the orphan’s pension paid during studies?
Under § 48 para. 4 SGB VI, the pension is paid in any case until the 18th birthday. It is paid until the 27th birthday if you are in school or vocational training, in a transition period of at most four months between training phases, or doing a voluntary service. A disability that prevents you from providing for your own maintenance can also extend the pension.
| Life phase | Entitlement to orphan’s pension | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 18 | yes | § 48 para. 4 SGB VI |
| 18 to 27, training over 20 hours per week | yes | § 48 para. 4 SGB VI |
| 18 to 27, training up to 20 hours per week | not through this training | § 48 para. 4 SGB VI |
| After the 27th birthday | generally no | § 48 para. 4 SGB VI |
The pension is also extended under § 48 para. 5 SGB VI if training is interrupted or delayed by military or civilian service. The age limit then moves by that time, up to the length of the basic service.
The end of the pension and the end of the BAföG entitlement are two separate deadlines. BAföG has its own maximum funding period, so ending the pension does not automatically extend your funding, and the reverse also applies.
Does your degree count as training?
This question matters because a part-time or distance degree can fall short of the 20-hour limit. Under the statute, training only counts if its actual time requirement is more than 20 hours per week. For a full-time degree, this is usually met. For a part-time or distance degree, you should document the actual weekly workload.
A side job alongside your studies does not automatically change your training status. Switching between study and paid work can affect the pension, though. The guide Werkstudent: 20-Stunden-Regel, Rentenversicherung und Semesterferien (in German) explains how semester breaks and student jobs count with the pension insurer.
How does the orphan’s pension affect BAföG?
The orphan’s pension is income for BAföG. Under § 23 para. 4 no. 1 BAföG, it remains partly exempt: 270 euros if the need under § 12 para. 1 no. 1 BAföG applies, otherwise 190 euros per month. The BAföG office counts the excess as income against your funding. These amounts come from the applicable law, status October 2026. The BAföG office decides whether § 12 para. 1 no. 1 applies to you.
As a result, a higher orphan’s pension can noticeably lower your BAföG funding. Calculate what remains before you apply. You can find the allowances and funding amounts in the guide Student Support Rate (BAföG) 2026: Amounts and Example.
Worked example with an assumption
Assumption: you are a half-orphan, study full time and receive an orphan’s pension of 300 euros per month. The allowance of 270 euros applies because the need under § 12 para. 1 no. 1 BAföG exists. Then 270 euros remain exempt, and the other 30 euros count as income. The BAföG office performs the calculation, and the result also depends on further income and need factors.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the orphan’s pension automatically until I am 27?
No. The pension does not end or continue automatically. The German Pension Insurance checks the conditions. You must prove the training and its scope, for example with a certificate from your university.
Can I receive the pension if I only study part time?
Only if the training takes more than 20 hours per week. For part-time or distance study, the actual time requirement must be documented. Evidence helps you avoid disputes with the pension insurer.
Do I have to apply for the orphan’s pension myself?
Yes. The pension is granted on application, and the competent pension insurance institution is the one where the deceased parent was insured. Submit the death certificate, proof of training and information on the maintenance of the surviving parent.
What happens if I interrupt my training?
The pension can end if the interruption does not fall within the transition period of at most four months. Report changes promptly to the pension insurer and the BAföG office, so that no overpayment arises.
What to do now
- Check whether you receive a half-orphan’s or full orphan’s pension and until when it runs under § 48 SGB VI.
- Get your training confirmed and note the weekly workload, including for part-time or distance study.
- Before a BAföG application, calculate the exempt amount of 270 or 190 euros and the rest as income.
- Report the end of training or any interruption promptly to the pension insurer and the BAföG office.
- Clarify open questions on maintenance and child benefit with the responsible offices before you decide.
Related guides
- Rentenversicherung im Studium: Pflicht, Befreiung und Rentenpunkte (in German)
- Student Job 20-Hour Rule, Pension and Semester Breaks
- Child Maintenance for Students: Amount and Duration 2026
- Studying with a Child: Supplements and Benefits in Germany
Sources: § 48 SGB VI, orphan’s pension (gesetze-im-internet.de, applicable law); § 23 BAföG, allowances from income (gesetze-im-internet.de); § 12 BAföG, need of trainees (gesetze-im-internet.de).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
