Family members of a deceased beneficiary of an old-age or disability pension are entitled to a family pension, as well as family members of a deceased insured person who met the conditions for retirement or had completed at least five years of insurance service.
If death resulted from a work-related injury or an occupational disease, family members are entitled to a pension regardless of the length of the deceased’s insurance service.
Persons Entitled to a Family Pension
1. Spouse or Common-Law Partner
A spouse or common-law partner may qualify if the marriage or legally recognized cohabitation lasted at least three years, or if they have a child together with the deceased—in which case entitlement exists regardless of the duration of the union.
Eligibility is subject to the following conditions:
Widow
A widow qualifies if:
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she had reached 53 years of age at the time of her spouse’s death; or
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she became fully incapable of work by the time of death or within one year thereafter; or
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she is caring for one or more children entitled to a family pension.
A widow who becomes fully incapable of work while receiving the pension retains the right as long as the incapacity exists.
A widow who was at least 45 but under 53 at the time of death acquires entitlement upon reaching 53.
If she turns 53 while already receiving the pension, the entitlement becomes permanent. If entitlement ceases before age 53 but after 45, it may be re-established upon reaching 53.
Widower
A widower qualifies if:
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he had reached 58 years of age at the time of his spouse’s death; or
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he became fully incapable of work by the time of death or within one year thereafter; or
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he is caring for one or more children entitled to a family pension.
A widower who becomes fully incapable of work while receiving the pension retains the right as long as the incapacity exists.
If he reaches 58 during the entitlement period, the right becomes permanent.
A divorced spouse or former common-law partner may also qualify under the same conditions if a court judgment has granted them maintenance.
2. Children
Eligible children include:
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biological, adopted, or stepchildren supported by the deceased, grandchildren, siblings, or other children without parents, or whose parents are fully incapable of work, provided they were supported by the deceased.
They are entitled:
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up to age 15, regardless of schooling;
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up to age 20 if attending secondary school;
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up to age 26 if enrolled in higher education;
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for as long as incapacity for independent living and work exists, if it arose before age 15;
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or if it arose after age 15 but before the insured’s death, provided the deceased supported them.
If schooling is interrupted due to illness, entitlement continues during the illness and may extend beyond age limits, proportionate to the interruption.
If schooling is interrupted due to military service, entitlement continues during service, but no later than age 27.
A child with a disability retains entitlement even after employment or self-employment ends.
3. Parents and Other Dependents
Parents (including step-parents and adoptive parents) who were supported by the deceased are entitled if they:
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are at least 65 (men) or 60 (women), or are fully incapable of work.
Amount of the Family Pension
The pension is calculated as a percentage of the pension the deceased was receiving or would have been entitled to:
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1 beneficiary: 70%
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2 beneficiaries: 80%
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3 beneficiaries: 90%
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4 or more: 100%
Children who have lost both parents may receive pensions based on both parents, combined into a single amount, capped at the statutory maximum.
Extended family members (parents, siblings, etc.) are entitled to the difference up to the full pension amount if they share entitlement with immediate family members.
If multiple spouses or partners (including divorced or former partners with court-ordered maintenance) qualify, one pension is determined and divided equally.
Definition of Dependency
Dependency is considered to exist if the family member’s total monthly income does not exceed the minimum pension in the previous quarter.
The following are excluded from income:
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child allowance,
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parental allowance,
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social welfare benefits,
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family pension from another parent,
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care and assistance benefits,
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disability compensation,
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awards, severance payments,
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student and pupil benefits.
Payment and Suspension
Payment is suspended if the beneficiary becomes insured through employment or similar engagement, unless their monthly earnings are below the minimum contribution base.
The pension may be paid:
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to a bank account,
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to an institution where the beneficiary resides,
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to a foreign currency account (for residents abroad),
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or through an authorized representative.
A person who intentionally or through gross negligence caused the death of the insured cannot claim this right.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted to the branch office of the last insurance or according to the deceased’s place of residence.
Required documentation is listed in the application.
If entitlement is based on incapacity, original or certified medical documentation must be submitted. The pension fund’s medical board issues an expert opinion based on documentation and examination.
Important Notes
- Children over the age of 15 must submit proof of schooling once per year, or confirmation of enrollment for each academic year in higher education. Failure to submit proof results in termination of entitlement to the family pension.
- A widow or widower does not lose entitlement to a family pension upon remarriage or entering into a new common-law partnership.
- The pension may be paid to a current (bank) account, to the account of an institution where the beneficiary resides, to a foreign currency account (if the beneficiary resides outside the Republic of Serbia), or through an authorized person.
- The pension beneficiary is obliged to report any change of address, as well as any other changes that may affect entitlement.
- If the deceased insured person or pension beneficiary worked abroad, including in former Yugoslav republics, entitlement to a family pension based on foreign insurance periods is determined in accordance with the regulations of that country.
Required Documents (Summary)
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Death certificate
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Birth certificates (family members)
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Marriage certificate / court decision (cohabitation)
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Divorce judgment and maintenance ruling
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Proof of work-related injury / occupational disease
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Proof of military service
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Proof of education (children over 15)
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Health insurance booklets (copies)
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Evidence of pension service (employment records, etc.)
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Certificate of self-employment (municipality / association / business registry)
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Tax certificate on paid pension contributions (self-employment)
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Tax certificate on paid pension contributions (agricultural activity)
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Proof of unemployment-related benefits
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Medical documentation (for incapacity cases)
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Disability classification decision / medical documentation (for children)
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Tax certificate on income (dependency proof)
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Guardianship decision (if applicable)
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Proof of service abroad