Basic Security Calculator Germany
Estimate German basic income support in old age or disability for 2026 from standard rates, extra need for mark G, rent, heating, pension and other income.
Personal Details
Housing Costs
Income
Basic pension periods (Grundrentenzeiten) are mainly compulsory contribution periods from employment, child-rearing and caring (Section 76g(2) SGB VI). From 33 years on, part of the statutory pension is not counted (Section 82a SGB XII).
Reasonable contributions, e.g. to personal liability and household contents insurance, are deducted from income at their actual amount (Section 82(2) no. 3 SGB XII).
Basic Security Entitlement
€683.00
per month
Total Need
€1,083.00
Standard need: €563.00
Housing costs: €520.00
Creditable Income
€400.00
Total income: €400.00
Note: Basic security in old age and in case of reduced earning capacity (SGB XII) is available to persons from standard retirement age or with full reduction in earning capacity. The statutory pension counts with the amount paid out (after health and long-term care insurance); the calculator derives the basic pension allowance from this amount as a simplification. The allowance applies only to the own statutory pension of the person with 33 years of basic pension periods. Actual benefits depend on further factors (assets, reasonableness of housing costs, special needs etc.). As of: 2026.
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is basic security in old age?
Basic security (Grundsicherung im Alter) is financial support for people over the retirement age or with permanent full disability whose income and assets are insufficient. It covers living expenses and housing.
How is basic security different from Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld)?
Basic security is for retirees and permanently disabled persons, while Grundsicherungsgeld (called Bürgergeld until 30 June 2026) is for employable people. Both cover similar needs but through different programs and offices.
How much is the additional needs allowance for disability mark G?
Anyone who has reached the age limit or has fully reduced earning capacity and holds a severely disabled person's pass with mark G (Merkzeichen G) receives an additional needs allowance of 17% of the applicable standard rate (§ 30(1) SGB XII). In 2026 that is about 96 euros for single persons (17% of 563 euros) and about 86 euros for partners in a joint household (17% of 506 euros). The calculator adds this amount to the applicant's standard needs as soon as you select mark G, and the total needs rise accordingly.
Guide
What is the Basic Security Calculator Germany?
The basic income support calculator computes the entitlement to basic security in old age or in the case of reduced earning capacity under SGB XII.
How does the Basic Security Calculator Germany work?
Enter housing costs, the statutory pension (and whether you have at least 33 years of basic pension periods), other income and insurance contributions. The calculator determines the need (standard rate + housing + additional needs) and deducts countable income – after the basic pension allowance (Section 82a SGB XII) and the insurance contributions. The calculator does not check assets; they must stay below the protected amount.
Key Data and Facts
Standard rate 2026 (single): 563 euros. No maintenance recourse against children with income under 100,000 euros/year. Protected assets: 10,000 euros per person.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate basic income support in old age step by step: 1. Check entitlement: reaching the standard retirement age (67 for those born 1964+) or permanent full incapacity for work. 2. Determine the requirement: standard requirement 2026: 563 EUR (single), 506 EUR (partner in a household community). Housing costs: actual rent + heating costs, provided they are reasonable. Additional requirement: e.g. 17 % of the standard rate for holders of a severely disabled person's pass with the marker G (= 95.71 EUR). Health and long-term care insurance contributions (these are covered). 3. Offset income: pension, company pension and private provision are offset; reasonable insurance contributions (e.g. personal liability, household contents) are deducted at their actual amount (Section 82(2) no. 3 SGB XII). Allowance for Riester/company pension (Section 82(4) SGB XII): 100 EUR + 30 % of the amount exceeding it (up to a maximum of 281.50 EUR total = 50 % of standard rate level 1). The same formula leaves part of the statutory pension uncounted if you have at least 33 years of basic pension periods (Section 82a SGB XII); the 281.50 EUR ceiling is reached from a pension of 705 EUR. 4. Check assets: protected assets: 10,000 EUR per person. An owner-occupied property remains protected. Retirement provision is partly protected. 5. Entitlement = requirement minus countable income. Example: single pensioner, statutory pension 850 EUR/month, rent 450 EUR including heating, insurance contributions 20 EUR. Requirement: 563 (standard rate) + 450 (housing) = 1,013 EUR. Income: 850 EUR pension − 20 EUR insurance contributions = 830 EUR countable income. Basic income support: 1,013 − 830 = 183 EUR/month. With at least 33 years of basic pension periods: allowance 100 + 30 % × 750 = 325 EUR, capped at 281.50 EUR – countable income falls to 548.50 EUR and basic income support rises to 464.50 EUR/month. No recourse to children for maintenance as long as their income is below 100,000 EUR/year.
Calculation Example
Single pensioner, statutory pension 850 EUR, rent 450 EUR including heating, insurance contributions 20 EUR. Needs: 563 + 450 = 1,013 EUR. Countable income: 850 − 20 = 830 EUR. Basic income support (Grundsicherung): 183 EUR/month. With at least 33 years of basic pension periods (Section 82a SGB XII): allowance 100 + 30 % × 750 = 325 EUR, at most 281.50 EUR → countable 548.50 EUR, basic income support 464.50 EUR/month.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
- Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung
- Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) — gesetze-im-internet.de
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
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