Survivors’ Benefits
Surviving spouses of a deceased member may – provided all the necessary conditions are met – apply to the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung (SÄV) for a widow’s or widower’s pension. Surviving children are also entitled to an orphan’s pension in the event of a member’s death. This also requires an application to be submitted to the SÄV.
Widow’s and Widower’s Pension
The surviving spouse is entitled to a widow’s or widower’s pension upon application, provided the marriage lasted for at least one year and continued until the member’s death. This also applies to civil partnerships. There is no entitlement to a widow’s or widower’s pension if the marriage took place after the onset of permanent incapacity for work or the commencement of retirement pension payments. For the first 6 months, the pension amounts to 80% of the deceased member’s retirement pension, and 60% thereafter. If the recipient remarries or enters into a civil partnership, payments will cease five years after the date of the remarriage or the registration of the civil partnership.
Orphan's pension
Surviving children may, upon application, receive a half-orphan's or full-orphan's allowance until they reach the age of 21. If evidence is provided of vocational training or permanent incapacity to work, the entitlement to benefits may be extended until the age of 27.
Half-orphans receive 25% of the deceased member’s pension for the first 6 months, and 20% thereafter. Full orphans initially receive 40%, and from the 7th month onwards 33%, of the pension of the deceased parent (in each case).
Frequently asked questions about widow’s and widower’s benefits
To be eligible for a widow’s or widower’s pension, the marriage must have been in force until the death of the pension scheme member. The marriage must not have taken place after the member became permanently incapacitated for work or after the start of payments of the (early) old-age pension. The widow’s or widower’s pension is paid by the Sächsische Ärzteversorgung, regardless of any other income received by the surviving spouse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orphan's Benefits
Orphan's benefit may be paid for children who have not yet reached the age of 21, or who are still in education or training (university studies, vocational training, voluntary service), or who are themselves unable to work. In the latter cases, the upper age limit is 27 years of age.
Appropriate evidence of education (or inability to work) must be submitted regularly by the 10th of the current month to ensure uninterrupted payment.