German pension insurance may provide survivor benefits to divorced individuals whose ex-partners die

Divorced individuals with children may be eligible for an orphan's pension if their ex-partner dies. This benefit from the German Pension Insurance aims to replace lost alimony payments. To qualify, the surviving ex-partner must have paid into the statutory pension insurance for at least five years, the divorce must have occurred after June 30, 1977, and they must not have remarried. The pension is paid until the child turns 18, or indefinitely if the child has a disability. The orphan's pension amount is comparable to a full disability pension, but personal income exceeding certain thresholds will be offset against the benefit. Further details are available from the German Pension Insurance.