What Is the Reduced Earning Capacity Pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente)?
If you cannot work due to illness or disability in Germany, the statutory pension insurance pays a **Reduced Earning Capacity Pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente / EM-Rente)**. Unlike private occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung), the state pension does not check if you can work in *your specific* job. Instead, it assesses if you can perform *any* work on the general labor market.
For detailed calculations, you can use our free disability insurance calculator.
Full vs. Half Erwerbsminderungsrente
The state distinguishes between two levels of disability:
- Full EM Pension (Volle Erwerbsminderungsrente): You can work **less than 3 hours** per day in any job.
- Half EM Pension (Halbe Erwerbsminderungsrente): You can work **between 3 and 6 hours** per day. The benefit is exactly half of the full pension, meant to supplement part-time work.
Statutory Requirements
To qualify for the EM pension, you must meet the **3-out-of-5 rule**: you must have been insured in the statutory pension system for at least 5 years (Wartezeit), and have paid mandatory contributions for at least 3 of the 5 years preceding your disability.
How Much Does the State Pay? (The Disability Pension Gap)
In 2024, the average full EM pension was only about **950 € gross per month** for new pension entries. After deducting health and care insurance, the payout drops to around **800 to 850 €**. Approximate full EM pension based on your pension points (Entgeltpunkte / EP) in 2026:
| Earned Pension Points (EP) | Credit Time (Zurechnungszeit) | Full EM Pension (Gross) | Estimated Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 EP (approx. 10 years avg. earner) | +8 EP | approx. 708 € | approx. 620 € |
| 20 EP (approx. 20 years avg. earner) | +5 EP | approx. 983 € | approx. 860 € |
| 30 EP (approx. 30 years avg. earner) | +2 EP | approx. 1,258 € | approx. 1,100 € |
This creates a massive **pension gap (Vorsorgelücke)**. If your net monthly income is 2,500 € and your full EM pension is 850 €, you face a shortfall of **1,650 €** every month, making private occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung / BU) highly recommended.
Sources: §§ 43, 59, 77 SGB VI, Deutsche Rentenversicherung reports, as of 2026.