Former political prisoners of the GDR can receive a victim's pension if
- they were deprived of their liberty for a total of at least 180 days in violation of the rule of law,
- no prison sentence of at least three years has been imposed on them for an intentional criminal offense,
- they are particularly disadvantaged in their economic situation and
- there are no grounds for exclusion (violation of the principles of humanity or the rule of law, serious abuse of their position for their own benefit or to the detriment of others, significant support for the former system in the accession area).
Pensioners and people in economic need are eligible. Pensions due to old age, reduced earning capacity, accidents at work or occupational illness as well as death or comparable benefits are not taken into account when assessing economic need. The income of the spouse/life partner is also not taken into account. Surviving dependants of former political prisoners arenot entitled to this pension.
Economic need is deemed to exist
- for single beneficiaries, three times the so-called "basic standard rate" (currently EUR 1,197)
- four times the basic standard rate (currently EUR 1,596) in the case of beneficiaries who are married or in a civil partnership or living in a marriage-like or civil partnership-like relationship.
The basic standard rate is EUR 399 (as of January 01, 2015).
Further information and application forms can be found on the website of the Supervisory and Service Directorate.
