A current social media post is causing a stir: “Cancel the widow’s pension, but pay all strangers pensions and citizens’ benefit. Exactly my sense of humor – hands off the widow’s pension!”
This post sparked a lot of reactions and a heated debate in a very short space of time. But how much truth is there behind this statement?
The truth behind the social system in Germany: A fact check on entitlements for foreigners
From widow's pensions to citizen's benefits - German social benefits should benefit everyone who needs help. The claims apply not only to German citizens, but also to people who have immigrated to Germany from other countries. However, debates about the amount and scope of these benefits continue to flare up. Common claims such as those that all foreigners in Germany are entitled to citizenship benefits and pensions require closer examination.
Facts about the German social system
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| Claims | Fact check |
|---|---|
| “All foreign citizens in Germany are entitled to citizen’s benefit and pension” | Incorrect . The citizen's benefit and the pension are linked to certain conditions. For example, you have to be at least 15 years old, not yet of retirement age, and have a permanent residence in Germany to be able to apply for citizenship benefit. You only receive a pension if you have paid into the pension system and have reached the statutory retirement age. |
| “The German widow’s pension should be canceled” | Incorrect . Although the abolition of the widow's pension has been discussed in recent times, it is currently not planned. The federal government has made this clear. |
| “Asylum seekers are immediately entitled to citizen’s benefit in Germany” | Incorrect . Asylum seekers are only entitled to citizen benefit if they have been recognized as refugees or have a work permit. In the meantime, they are entitled to other social benefits that are defined in the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. |
| “Foreign citizens can retire earlier than German citizens” | Incorrect . The regulations for retirement age apply equally to German and foreign citizens. A claim that Ukrainian refugees were allowed to receive pensions earlier was deemed false. |
| “The widow’s pension should be abolished and the money should flow into the integration of refugees” | Incorrect . A supposed quote from Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock claiming this was rated as incorrect. The federal government is currently not planning to abolish the widow's pension. |
Citizens' benefit: who is entitled?
Basic security for job seekers, better known as citizen's benefit, is a social benefit to which those who are able to work and need help in Germany are entitled. However, the requirements for eligibility are strict:
- Applicants must be at least 15 years old and not yet of retirement age.
- You must have a permanent residence in Germany.
- They must have searched intensively but unsuccessfully for a job or earn an income that does not meet their needs.
These criteria exclude certain groups such as seasonal workers or German citizens residing abroad. Asylum seekers only receive citizenship benefit if they are recognized as refugees or have a work permit. Until then, they are entitled to other social benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
Pension entitlement: If you pay in, you get out
The same rules apply to pension insurance for Germans and foreigners. Anyone who pays into pension insurance is entitled to benefits in old age. This includes…
- A minimum insurance period of five years
- Reaching the statutory retirement age
False reports that foreign citizens are allowed to retire earlier are therefore completely unfounded.
Widow's pension: A controversial topic
The survivor's pension, also colloquially known as the widow's pension, is paid by the German pension insurance to widows, widowers and orphans of deceased insured persons. Although there have been repeated discussions about abolishing this benefit in the recent past, it is still an integral part of the social system. The federal government has made it clear that it currently has no plans to abolish this benefit.
Conclusion: Yes, the German social system is complex and yes, there are entitlements for foreigners. But these claims come with strict conditions, and myths and misunderstandings about them can negatively influence public opinion. The fact is that Germany extends a hand to both its own citizens and people from other countries who are in need. A better understanding of the system is key to debunking myths and enabling constructive discussions.
Source:
- DPA
- BMAS on citizen's money 1
- BMAS on citizens' money 2
- Association for social life for citizens' money
- Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
- Employment agency for Ukrainians
- BMAS for pension
- German pension insurance for the minimum insurance period
- Germany's social security agreement
- dpa fact check: retirement age for Ukrainian refugees
- Survivor pension
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