Social Security: Life Insurance - Survivors' Pensions

Beneficiaries and Conditions for Entitlement

Definition

Benefits for death and survival (widowhood, orphanhood, dependent family members) are intended to compensate for the financial hardship that certain people have to endure due to the death of others.

One or more of the following benefits can be granted, according to the case:

• Assistance due to death
• Widow or widower's pension
• Orphan's pension
• Pension and allowance for members of the family
• Special compensation up to a certain amount in cases of accidents at work or occupational diseases

These benefits are covered by the general and special social security schemes, with the special features indicated in each case in the respective special scheme.

Persons Concerned

Workers and Pensioners

Grounds: Death of the worker or old age pensioner, or permanent invalidity either of the person in receipt of the temporary incapacity allowance because its effects have been extended because of the expiry of the respective maximum period or of recovery, irrespective of the cause. When the worker has died due to an accident at work or occupational disease, proof that death was due to such causes will have to be provided.

Beneficiaries: Surviving spouse, orphans and in some cases members of the family of the person concerned.

Text last edited on: 06/2005

Source: European Union
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