Contents
- Who is entitled to the survivor's pension
- Survivor's pension amount: 50%, 75% or 100%
- Conditions for children
- Conditions for the surviving spouse
- How the survivor's pension is calculated in 2026
- Required documents and where to submit them
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
- Related Articles
Introduction
We know you are reading this guide at a heavy time. After the loss of a loved one — a husband, a wife, a parent who was the pillar of the family — grief becomes entangled with practical questions and the fear of the unknown. One of the most frequent worries is: 'What will we live on from now on?'. We understand this anxiety and we want to help you find clear answers, without bureaucratic tangles.
This article explains, calmly and step by step, what the survivor's pension 2026 is, who is entitled to it, how much it comes to (the amount of 50%, 75% or 100%), what conditions must be met by children and by the surviving spouse, how it is calculated and, very importantly, what documents you should prepare and where to submit them. All the information is set against the legislation in force — Law no. 360/2023 on the public pension system, applicable from 1 September 2024 — and against the official data of the National Public Pension House (CNPP).
The survivor's pension is a right, not a favour. It is intended to support the family left behind by a person who contributed to the public pension system or who was already a pensioner. You should not feel embarrassed to claim it — that is precisely the purpose for which this system exists.
If you are only now going through the first formalities, you may also find our guide on what to do after a death useful; it gives you a map of the initial steps. Our aim is to ease your path through these procedures, so that you can focus on what truly matters — being there for your loved ones.
The information in this article is current as of 16 July 2026. The amounts, the reference point value and the procedures may be changed by subsequent legislation. We recommend that you also check cnpp.ro or the territorial pension house for any updates.
Who is entitled to the survivor's pension
The survivor's pension is due to the children and the surviving spouse of the deceased person, provided that the provider was a pensioner at the date of death or had met the conditions for obtaining a pension (for old age or disability). This is the basic rule established by Law no. 360/2023.
In other words, the right to a survivor's pension does not appear out of nowhere: it arises from the contribution (the pension points) that the deceased person accumulated over their working life. If the provider was already a pensioner, the condition is met automatically. If they were not yet retired, the pension house checks whether they would have been entitled to a pension, based on the contribution period completed.
It is essential to bear in mind a distinction: children and the surviving spouse have different conditions for the pension to be granted. For children, the main condition is age (and, possibly, continued studies or disability). For the surviving spouse, the conditions are stricter and relate to age, the duration of the marriage, health status or the care of children. We detail each of them in the following sections.
The categories of beneficiaries
| Beneficiary | Basic condition | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Children | Age (up to 16) or continued studies (up to 26) | No age limit in the event of disability arising during that period |
| Surviving spouse | Standard retirement age + marriage duration ≥ 15 years | Other situations also apply: disability, care of children, a 6-month interval |
Source: Law no. 360/2023 on the public pension system (legislatie.just.ro); CNPP (cnpp.ro). Updated July 2026.
A special case is that of children orphaned of both parents: they receive the survivor's pension calculated by adding together the rights due after each parent, under the provisions of Law no. 360/2023.
Survivor's pension amount: 50%, 75% or 100%
The amount of the survivor's pension is set as a percentage of the total number of points achieved by the deceased provider, according to the number of eligible survivors: 50% for a single survivor, 75% for two survivors and 100% for three or more survivors. The resulting sum of points is then multiplied by the reference point value.
These percentages are fixed and set by law — they do not depend on the family's income, but solely on the number of persons entitled to a survivor's pension. The more eligible survivors there are, the higher the total percentage, precisely in order to cover the needs of more people.
The survivor's pension percentages table
| Number of eligible survivors | Percentage of the provider's points | Practical example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 survivor | 50% | Only the surviving spouse or a single child |
| 2 survivors | 75% | The surviving spouse and one child, or two children |
| 3 or more survivors | 100% | The surviving spouse and two children, or three children |
Source: Law no. 360/2023, article on the survivor's pension amount (legislatie.just.ro); CNPP (cnpp.ro). Updated July 2026.
It is important to note that the percentage applies to the provider's total number of points, not directly to the monthly pension they were receiving. In practice, however, the result is similar: if the provider had a pension of a certain level, the survivor's pension for a single survivor will be roughly half of it, for two survivors roughly three quarters, and for three or more survivors roughly equal.
What happens if the number of survivors changes
The percentage may change over time. For example, if the pension is initially granted for two children (75%) and one of them subsequently turns 26 and finishes their studies, that child's entitlement ceases, and the pension is recalculated for the remaining survivor (50%). For this reason, any change in the beneficiaries' situation (reaching an age threshold, interrupting studies, the surviving spouse remarrying under certain conditions) must be reported to the pension house.
Conditions for children
Children are entitled to the survivor's pension up to the age of 16 unconditionally. If they continue their studies in a form of education organised under the law, the right is extended until they finish their studies, without exceeding the age of 26. In the event of disability arising during this period, the pension is granted for the entire duration of the disability.
These conditions are among the clearest in the whole of pension legislation and offer real support to families with children. The underlying idea is that a child who cannot yet support themselves — because they are a minor, a pupil or a student — deserves protection through this right.
The conditions for children in detail
- Up to 16 years — the right is unconditional. It does not matter whether the child attends school or not; simply being under 16 gives the right to a survivor's pension.
- Between 16 and 26 years — the right is maintained only if they continue their studies in a form of organised education (vocational school, secondary school, university, master's degree). Proof of continued studies must be presented to the pension house, usually at the start of each school/academic year.
- No age limit — if a child has a disability of any grade, arising during the period in which they were in one of the situations above (a minor or a pupil/student), the pension is granted for the entire duration of the disability, evidenced by a medical decision.
Table — the child's age and the right to a pension
| The child's situation | Entitled to a survivor's pension? | Additional condition |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | Yes | None |
| 16–26, pupil/student | Yes | Proof of continued studies |
| 16–26, not in studies | No | The right ceases at 16 |
| Over 26 | No (general rule) | Exception: disability arising earlier |
| Disability (any grade) | Yes, for the duration of the disability | Medical decision; disability arising during the eligibility period |
Source: Law no. 360/2023 (legislatie.just.ro); CNPP — survivor's pension (cnpp.ro). Updated July 2026.
A practical aspect that many parents overlook: for children over 16, proof of continued studies must be renewed periodically. If the certificate is not submitted on time, payment of the pension may be temporarily suspended until the situation is clarified. We recommend that you note this obligation in your calendar, at the start of each academic year.
Conditions for the surviving spouse
The surviving spouse receives the survivor's pension for their entire life, upon reaching the standard retirement age, provided the marriage lasted at least 15 years. For shorter marriages, of between 10 and 15 years, the amount is reduced by 6% for each missing year of marriage. There are also other situations in which the surviving spouse is entitled, regardless of age.
The conditions for the surviving spouse are indeed more complex than those for children. The legislator sought to ensure real support for those left alone at retirement age or in vulnerable situations (disability, the care of young children), without the right being granted automatically to just anyone.
The five situations in which the surviving spouse is entitled
- At the standard retirement age, for life — if the marriage lasted at least 15 years. In 2026, the standard retirement age is 65 for men, while for women it is gradually rising towards 63. For a marriage of between 10 and 15 years, the pension is reduced by 0.5% for each month, that is, 6% for each year of marriage below the 15-year threshold.
- For the duration of grade I or II disability — if the marriage lasted at least 1 year and the surviving spouse does not earn monthly income greater than the gross minimum wage in the economy.
- Regardless of the duration of the marriage — if the provider's death occurred as a result of a workplace accident or an occupational disease, and the surviving spouse does not earn income above the minimum wage.
- For 6 months from the date of death — if the surviving spouse does not earn monthly income greater than the gross minimum wage in the economy. This is temporary support, designed for the period immediately following the loss.
- Until the youngest child turns 7 — if the surviving spouse cares for one or more children under 7 and does not earn income above the minimum wage.
Table — the surviving spouse's situations
| Situation | Marriage duration | Income condition | Period granted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard retirement age | ≥ 15 years (full) | — | For life |
| Standard retirement age | 10–15 years | — | For life, with a reduction of 6%/missing year |
| Grade I or II disability | ≥ 1 year | Below the minimum wage | For the duration of the disability |
| Death by workplace accident/occupational disease | Any duration | Below the minimum wage | For the duration of the conditions |
| Transition interval | Any duration | Below the minimum wage | 6 months from the death |
| Care of a child under 7 | Any duration | Below the minimum wage | Until the child turns 7 |
Source: Law no. 360/2023 on the public pension system (legislatie.just.ro); CNPP — survivor's pension (cnpp.ro). Updated July 2026.
A delicate but important detail: if the surviving spouse remarries, the right to the survivor's pension may cease, except in situations where the right is based on disability. This is a rule worth knowing in advance, to avoid unpleasant surprises.
How the survivor's pension is calculated in 2026
The survivor's pension is calculated starting from the total number of points accumulated by the deceased provider, to which the percentage corresponding to the number of survivors is applied (50%, 75% or 100%), and the result is multiplied by the reference point value (VPR), which in 2026 is 81 lei. This value has been kept (frozen) for 2026 as well.
Law no. 360/2023 introduced a points-based system: each person accumulates, over their working life, a total number of points depending on the contributions paid. At retirement (or, in the case of the survivor's pension, when calculating the survivors' entitlements), this number of points is multiplied by the reference point value to obtain the monthly pension.
Note: the reference point value is frozen in 2026
Although Law no. 360/2023 provided for an annual indexation of the reference point value in January (based on the inflation rate plus 50% of the real growth in the gross average wage), this indexation has been suspended. Through subsequent legislation, the reference point value has remained 81 lei, the level set on 1 September 2024 and maintained for 2026 as well. In other words, there was no automatic increase in the VPR on 1 January 2026.
Bear in mind: if you come across information online claiming that survivor's pensions 'were indexed' from 1 January 2026, check the source carefully. The indexation mechanism was frozen, and the reference point value remained 81 lei. Always confirm with the territorial pension house or on cnpp.ro.
A simplified calculation example
Let us suppose that the deceased provider had a total number of points that would have earned them a pension of roughly 2,000 lei a month. Here is what the survivor's pension would look like, depending on the number of survivors (the figures are indicative, for illustration only):
| Number of survivors | Percentage | Estimated survivor's pension (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 survivor | 50% | ≈ 1,000 lei |
| 2 survivors | 75% | ≈ 1,500 lei (total, divided between the two) |
| 3+ survivors | 100% | ≈ 2,000 lei (total, divided among all) |
Purely illustrative example, to help you understand the mechanism. The actual calculation is done by the pension house based on the provider's effective number of points and the VPR of 81 lei (2026). Source: Law no. 360/2023; CNPP (cnpp.ro). Updated July 2026.
When the pension is granted for several survivors, the resulting total sum is divided equally between the beneficiaries. Thus, each child or the surviving spouse receives their share of the total calculated amount.
To understand the other forms of financial support available to the family, we also recommend our guide on the funeral benefit in 2026, which is a separate benefit, paid only once, distinct from the monthly survivor's pension.
Required documents and where to submit them
The file for the survivor's pension is submitted to the territorial (county) pension house covering the domicile of the deceased provider or of the applicant. The basic documents include the standard application form, the death certificate, the civil status documents proving the relationship and the applicant's identity document. The recommended deadline is 30 days from the death.
The exact list of documents may vary slightly depending on the specific situation (child, spouse, disability, studies), but below you will find the full set of documents most frequently required.
The required documents table
| Document | Where it is obtained | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard application form for the survivor's pension (annex 7) | The territorial pension house or cnpp.ro | Completed at the counter or downloaded |
| Death certificate (original and copy) | The Civil Registry / Town Hall | The document that starts the file |
| The applicant's civil status documents (original and copy) | The Civil Registry | Marriage certificate (spouse), birth certificate (child) |
| The applicant's identity document (copy) | — | Valid ID card |
| Medical decision on work capacity | Medical assessment office | If the applicant has a disability |
| Certificate of continued studies | The educational institution | For children between 16 and 26 |
| The provider's pension decision / payment slip | The pension house | If the provider was a pensioner |
| Documents on the cause of death (workplace accident) | Employer / Labour Inspectorate | If the death occurred through a workplace accident or occupational disease |
Source: CNPP — survivor's pension, required documents (cnpp.ro); the implementing norms of Law no. 360/2023. Updated July 2026.
Where and within what time to submit
- Place of submission: the competent territorial (county) pension house. For minor children, the application is submitted by the surviving parent, the guardian or the legal representative.
- The deadline: if the application is submitted within 30 days of the date of death, the pension is granted starting from the very date of death. If this deadline is exceeded, the pension is granted from the date of submitting the application. For this reason, even if you gather the documents gradually, it is important not to delay the submission too much.
- Missing documents: if the file is incomplete, the pension house will tell you what further documents are needed. Complete them as quickly as possible, so that your entitlement is not affected.
Practical tips for preparing the file
- Ask the Civil Registry for several copies of the death certificate — you will need it for the inheritance, at the bank and at other institutions. See the details in our guide on the death certificate in Romania.
- If you have children in education, prepare the certificate of continued studies in good time — it is the document most often requested later on.
- Keep a copy of the entire submitted file, together with the registration number received at the counter.
Throughout these formalities, some families choose to keep the memory of the person who has passed away in a digital memorial on Kinmory — a calm place where photographs and memories are gathered, accessible at any time to relatives, from anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is entitled to the survivor's pension in 2026?
The survivor's pension is due to the children and the surviving spouse of the deceased person if the provider was a pensioner or met the conditions for a pension. Children benefit up to the age of 16, or up to 26 if they continue their studies. The surviving spouse benefits under certain conditions relating to age, marriage duration, disability or the care of children.
What is the amount of the survivor's pension?
The amount of the survivor's pension is set as a percentage of the deceased provider's total number of points, according to the number of eligible survivors: 50% for a single survivor, 75% for two survivors and 100% for three or more survivors. The resulting sum is multiplied by the reference point value, which in 2026 is 81 lei.
Until what age do children receive the survivor's pension?
Children are entitled to the survivor's pension up to the age of 16. If they continue their studies in a form of education organised under the law, the right is maintained until they finish, without exceeding the age of 26. Children whose disability arises during this period receive the pension for the entire duration of the disability.
What conditions must the surviving spouse meet?
The surviving spouse receives the survivor's pension for life upon reaching the standard retirement age, provided the marriage lasted at least 15 years. For a marriage of between 10 and 15 years, the pension is reduced by 6% for each missing year. There are also other situations: grade I or II disability, death by workplace accident, a 6-month interval after the death, or the care of a child under 7.
Where is the survivor's pension application submitted?
The application and file are submitted to the territorial (county) pension house covering the domicile of the deceased provider or of the applicant. If the application is submitted within 30 days of the death, the pension is granted from the date of death; afterwards, it is granted from the date of submitting the application.
Summary
- The survivor's pension is due to the children and the surviving spouse if the provider was a pensioner or met the conditions for a pension (Law no. 360/2023, applicable from 1 September 2024).
- The amount is 50% for one survivor, 75% for two survivors and 100% for three or more survivors, from the provider's total number of points.
- Children receive the pension up to 16, or up to 26 if they continue their studies; with no age limit in the event of disability.
- The surviving spouse receives the pension for life at the standard retirement age, if the marriage lasted at least 15 years (a reduction of 6%/year for marriages of 10–15 years); there are also special situations (disability, workplace accident, 6 months from the death, the care of children under 7).
- The calculation is done based on the provider's points × the reference point value (81 lei in 2026, frozen).
- The basic documents: standard application form (annex 7), death certificate, civil status documents, identity document, plus a certificate of studies or a medical decision, as applicable.
- The file is submitted to the territorial pension house; within 30 days of the death, the pension is granted from the date of death.
- The information is indicative, updated on 16 July 2026 — confirm it with the pension house and on cnpp.ro.
The information and figures in this article are current as of 16 July 2026. For any legislative changes or changes to the reference point value, consult the official CNPP website (cnpp.ro) and the Legislative Portal (legislatie.just.ro).
Related Articles
- The funeral benefit in 2026 — amount and documents — the financial support paid only once, separate from the survivor's pension.
- Death certificate in Romania: how to obtain it and required documents — the first document needed in the survivor's pension file.
- Inheritance at the notary 2026: the certificate of heir, steps and costs — settling the assets left by the deceased person.
- What to do after a death — the essential steps — a map of the first administrative formalities.
- How much a funeral costs in Romania in 2026 — to understand funeral expenses and the support available.
Keep the memory of your loved one alive, even amid the formalities
Resolving pension entitlements takes time, journeys and patience. Between these administrative steps, many people feel the need for a quiet place in which to gather what truly matters: the face, the story and the memories of the person who has passed away. On Kinmory you can create a digital memorial with photographs, moments of life and messages from those closest — a space accessible at any time, from anywhere, which can also include a QR code for the monument.
Throughout the formalities — consider a digital memorial
The legal information and figures in this article are indicative and are updated as of 16 July 2026. They have been set against Law no. 360/2023 on the public pension system (legislatie.just.ro) and the official data of the National Public Pension House (cnpp.ro). The reference point value, the amounts and the conditions may be changed by subsequent legislation — we recommend that you check the specific situation with the territorial pension house in your locality.