If a surviving spouse does not yet receive his or her own earnings-based pension, a comparison is carried out using the calculated earnings-based pension that the surviving spouse would have received if he or she had become incapable of work on the day of the death of the deceased spouse or on the 18th birthday of the youngest child entitled to a child’s pension. The comparison is carried out again when the surviving spouse is awarded his or her own earnings-based pension.

The pension for a former spouse is calculated in line with the amount of maintenance. The former spouse’s pension is deducted from the surviving spouse’s pension.

Reducing surviving spouse’s pension based on actual income

If a surviving spouse does not yet receive his or her full pension and his or her actual income is considerably less than his or her calculated earnings-based pension, a reduction in surviving spouse’s pension can be made based on actual income.

Income takes into consideration 60% of earnings and, for instance,

• earnings-related social security benefits (e.g. unemployment allowance)
• partial disability pension
• part-time pension or
• farmer’s early retirement pension
• allowance or pension in accordance with the Employment Accident Act
• continuous compensation in line with the Motor Liability Insurance Act

Actual income should amount to at least 25% less than the surviving spouse’s calculated earnings-based pension.

An application can be made for an exceptional reduction within 5 years of the death of the deceased spouse or when the youngest child reaches the age of 18.

The reduction is reviewed if the surviving spouse’s income changes to such an extent that the criteria for an exceptional reduction are no longer met. A surviving spouse must notify the Seafarer’s Pension Fund of any change in income.