Widow's and Widower's Pension 2026: Eligibility, Amount, How to Apply

Introduction

We understand that you are going through one of the most difficult periods of your life. Losing a life partner brings not only deep pain but often a sudden loss of the income you were both used to. At a time like this, it is natural to ask whether you are entitled to financial support from the state — and how much the widow's or widower's pension actually comes to in 2026.

In this article, we explain everything essential about the survivor's pension clearly and without unnecessary bureaucratic language: how much it is in 2026, who is entitled to it, how long it is paid for, and how to apply. We give the specific amounts in force from 1 January 2026 and cite the official sources of the Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ), so that you can be sure the information is up to date.

This guide is intended for all surviving husbands and wives — and we would like to emphasise one thing at the very outset: the widower's pension for men follows exactly the same rules as the widow's pension for women. The law makes no distinction between widows and widowers, and the same rules apply to surviving registered partners.

If you are only just dealing with the first practical steps, we recommend starting with our guide to what to arrange after the death of a loved one. Among the matters that can be dealt with at any time later and that may bring comfort is creating a digital memory page — a lasting place for photographs and stories about your loved one.

What the Widow's and Widower's Pension Is and How Much It Is in 2026

The widow's and widower's pension is a survivor's benefit under the pension insurance scheme, paid by the ČSSZ to a surviving husband or wife. It consists of two parts: a flat basic assessment of 4,900 Kč per month (in force from 1 January 2026) and a percentage assessment of 50% of the deceased's pension percentage assessment.

What the pension is made up of

Under Act No. 155/1995 Coll., on Pension Insurance, every pension has two components. The basic assessment is the same for all types of pension and from 1 January 2026 is 4,900 Kč per month — an increase of 240 Kč on 2025. The percentage assessment for a survivor's pension is derived from the deceased's pension: it is 50% of the percentage assessment of the old-age or disability pension that the deceased was receiving or would have been entitled to.

A worked example

To give a clearer picture, let us take an illustrative example. The deceased husband was receiving an old-age pension whose percentage assessment was 16,000 Kč (the basic assessment of 4,900 Kč was his own portion of the pension). The widow receives:

• the basic assessment of 4,900 Kč,
• a percentage assessment of 50% of 16,000 Kč, that is 8,000 Kč.

The total widow's pension in this example is 12,900 Kč per month. The actual amount always depends on the specific pension of the deceased — the higher their percentage assessment was, the higher the survivor's pension.

Figures are current as at July 2026 and are based on the amounts in force from 1 January 2026. Source: ČSSZ — Widow's/widower's pension and Overview of the most important figures for 2026. Verify the amount with the relevant OSSZ.

The difference from the funeral allowance and other benefits

Do not confuse the widow's pension with the funeral allowance or with other benefits. It is a regular monthly benefit paid by the ČSSZ, not a one-off payment. The table below sets out the overview.

You will find details of the one-off benefit in the article Funeral Allowance 2026 — who is eligible and how to apply.

Who Is Eligible for the Widow's and Widower's Pension

Entitlement to a widow's or widower's pension arises for a surviving husband, wife or registered partner, provided the marriage (partnership) was in existence on the date of death. In addition, the deceased must have been receiving an old-age or disability pension, or have acquired the required insurance period as at the date of death. The survivor's sex plays no part whatsoever.

Basic eligibility conditions

For entitlement to a survivor's pension to arise, the following conditions must all be met at the same time:

1. A marriage in existence on the date of death — the marriage, registered partnership or partnership must have legally subsisted on the day the spouse or partner died. Divorced spouses are not entitled. An unmarried couple (cohabiting partners) are likewise not entitled to a widow's pension, even if they lived together for many years.

2. A condition met on the deceased's side — as at the date of death, the deceased must have either:

   • been receiving an old-age pension, or
   • been receiving a disability pension, or
   • completed the required insurance period for entitlement to an old-age or disability pension, or
   • died as a result of an industrial injury or occupational disease (in which case the insurance period is not examined).

Equality of widows and widowers

We stress this because bereaved people often ask about it: a man whose wife has died has the same entitlement as a woman whose husband has died. The widower's pension is governed by identical rules to the widow's pension — the same conditions, the same calculation, the same payment period. Historically the conditions for men were stricter; that is no longer the case today.

When no entitlement arises

Many bereaved people are surprised that in certain circumstances no entitlement arises. The most common cases:

• Unmarried partner (cohabitee) — living together without marriage or a registered partnership does not create an entitlement.
• Divorced spouse — after divorce, entitlement to a widow's pension from the former marriage ceases.
• The deceased did not acquire the required insurance period — if the deceased was not receiving a pension and at the same time had not acquired the required insurance period (and it was not an industrial injury), no entitlement arises.

How Long the Widow's Pension Is Paid For — The One-Year Rule

The widow's and widower's pension is paid as standard for one year following the death of the husband or wife. Once that year has elapsed, entitlement continues only if you meet one of the statutory conditions — most commonly caring for a dependent child, third-degree disability, or reaching a certain age. Otherwise payment ends after the year.

The first twelve months

For the first twelve months, the survivor's pension is due to anyone who met the eligibility conditions — regardless of age, state of health or the care of children. This period is intended to help the survivor through the most difficult time and adjust to the changed financial situation.

Conditions for continued payment after the year

Once one year has elapsed, your entitlement is retained if you meet at least one of the following conditions:

If you meet any of these conditions, the pension is due to you for the whole time they last. When a condition ceases (for example, a child ceases to be dependent), payment stops.

Reinstatement of entitlement

An important point that many people forget to ask about: if your widow's pension payment ends after the year, the entitlement can revive. If you meet one of the conditions listed above within 5 years of the entitlement ceasing (for example, you reach the required age or become disabled at the third degree), you can apply to have the widow's or widower's pension reinstated. From 1 January 2022 the time limit was extended from the original 2 years to 5 years.

Concurrence with Your Own Pension and the Orphan's Pension

If you yourself receive an old-age or disability pension and at the same time become entitled to a widow's pension, the two pensions are not added together in full. The higher of the two percentage assessments is paid in full and the lower at half; the basic assessment of 4,900 Kč is due only once. Dependent children have a separate entitlement to an orphan's pension.

How the concurrence of two pensions works

Put simply: you receive one basic assessment (4,900 Kč), plus the higher of the two percentage assessments in full and the lower of them at half. Let us take an example:

• Your own old-age pension percentage assessment: 9,000 Kč
• Widow's pension percentage assessment: 6,000 Kč

You are paid the basic assessment of 4,900 Kč + the higher percentage assessment of 9,000 Kč (in full) + half of the lower one, that is 3,000 Kč. That comes to 16,900 Kč per month in total. The lower percentage assessment is therefore not lost entirely — you always receive at least half of it.

The orphan's pension for dependent children

Dependent children are entitled, following the death of a parent, to a separate orphan's pension. This too consists of the basic assessment of 4,900 Kč and a percentage assessment of 40% of the deceased parent's pension percentage assessment. The orphan's pension is applied for by the child's legal representative, again at the OSSZ.

Did you know? While you are dealing with the formalities at the various offices, the memory of your loved one can be kept in one lasting place. A digital memorial on Kinmory lets you share photographs and stories with the whole family. Find out more on Kinmory

How to Apply for the Widow's and Widower's Pension — Step by Step

You apply for the widow's or widower's pension in person at the District Social Security Administration (OSSZ) for your place of permanent residence — not at the Labour Office. An OSSZ officer will draw up the application with you on the prescribed form. You need your identity card, the death certificate, the marriage certificate and your bank account number.

The application procedure

1. Book an appointment at the OSSZ — find the District Social Security Administration for your permanent residence. Most offices allow you to book a time slot online or by telephone, which saves you waiting.

2. Prepare your documents — see the checklist table below. Bring the documents as originals or officially certified copies.

3. Draw up the application at the OSSZ — unlike many other benefits, you do not fill in the application yourself at home. An OSSZ officer will complete it with you on the spot and record all the necessary details.

4. Wait for the decision — the application goes to ČSSZ headquarters, which decides on it. The statutory time limit for a decision is generally up to 90 days, though in practice it tends to be shorter.

5. Payment and back-payment — once granted, you receive the pension regularly each month, including retrospectively to the date the entitlement arose (that is, generally to the date of the spouse's death).

Which documents to bring with you

We have described how to obtain the death certificate and other register documents in detail in the article Death certificate — how and where to obtain it.

By when to submit the application

There is no specific fixed limitation period here as there is for the funeral allowance, but do not delay in applying. The pension is indeed granted retrospectively, but it can only be back-paid for a limited period. The most sensible course is to go to the OSSZ as soon as you have the death and marriage certificates together — usually a few weeks after the death.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the widow's and widower's pension in 2026?

Both the widow's and widower's pension consist of two parts. The basic assessment from 1 January 2026 is 4,900 Kč per month and is the same for everyone. The percentage assessment is 50% of the deceased's old-age or disability pension percentage assessment. The minimum total survivor's pension in 2026 is roughly 7,350 Kč per month. The actual amount depends on how high a pension the deceased was receiving.

Are widowers entitled to a pension in the same way as widows?

Yes. The widower's pension for men follows exactly the same rules as the widow's pension for women — identical eligibility conditions, the same method of calculation, and the same payment period (one year and then, if the statutory conditions are met, beyond that). The Pension Insurance Act draws no distinction between widows and widowers. Surviving registered partners are also entitled on the same conditions.

How long is the widow's pension paid for?

As standard, the widow's and widower's pension is paid for one year following the death of the husband or wife. After the year, entitlement continues only if one of the statutory conditions is met — for example caring for a dependent child, caring for a dependent person (level II–IV), third-degree disability, or reaching an age four years below your retirement age. Otherwise payment ends after the year, but the entitlement can revive within 5 years.

Where and how do I apply for the widow's pension?

The application is drawn up in person at the District Social Security Administration (OSSZ) for your place of permanent residence, not at the Labour Office. An OSSZ officer will complete the application with you on the prescribed form. Bring your identity card, the death certificate, the marriage certificate and your bank account number. We recommend booking a specific appointment in advance.

Am I entitled to a widow's pension if I receive an old-age pension myself?

Yes, entitlement arises, but the two pensions are not added together in full. You are paid one basic assessment (4,900 Kč), the higher of the two percentage assessments in full and the lower of them at half only. The lower percentage assessment is therefore not lost entirely — you always receive at least half of it. The resulting amount is lower than the simple sum of the two pensions, but higher than either of them on its own.

Do I lose entitlement to the widow's pension if I remarry?

Yes. On entering into a new marriage, entitlement to the widow's or widower's pension ceases, and does so definitively — a new marriage is regarded as the survivor being provided for by a new partner. Unlike the cessation after the year (where entitlement can revive), after a new marriage the earlier widow's pension is not reinstated.

Summary

• The basic assessment of the widow's and widower's pension is 4,900 Kč per month from 1 January 2026 (240 Kč more than in 2025).
• The percentage assessment is 50% of the deceased's old-age or disability pension percentage assessment.
• The minimum total amount of the survivor's pension in 2026 is roughly 7,350 Kč per month.
• Widowers have the same entitlement as widows — the rules are identical, and registered partners are entitled too.
• The condition is a marriage in existence on the date of death and a condition met on the deceased's side (they were receiving a pension or had acquired the required insurance period).
• It is paid for one year, after which only for caring for a child, caring for a dependent person, third-degree disability, or reaching an age 4 years below retirement age.
• The entitlement can revive within 5 years if you later meet one of the conditions.
• The application is submitted in person at the OSSZ (not at the Labour Office) — you need your identity card, the death certificate, the marriage certificate and your account number.
• Dependent children have a separate entitlement to an orphan's pension (40%, min. roughly 6,860 Kč per month in 2026).
• A new marriage extinguishes the entitlement definitively.

Related Articles

• What to arrange after the death of a loved one — an overview of the steps
• Funeral Allowance 2026 — who is eligible and how to apply
• Death certificate — how and where to obtain it
• Probate proceedings — a complete guide for the bereaved
• How much a funeral costs in the Czech Republic in 2026

While you deal with the formalities — think about a digital memorial

Arranging the pension, documents and benefits at the various offices — these are all necessary steps that have to be seen through. Alongside the formalities, though, there is also something more personal: keeping the memory of your loved one for the whole family.

Create a memory page on Kinmory — a place where you can share photographs, stories and shared experiences. Anyone in the family can access it, from anywhere in the world.

Create a memory page on Kinmory