Transitional allowance (Übergangsgeld) (Transitional allowance from the pension insurance): Transitional allowance (Übergangsgeld) is a benefit from the German pension insurance that secures your living costs during rehabilitation, including during benefits for participation in working life (section 20 SGB VI).
Who is entitled
Insured persons who receive benefits for participation in working life from the pension insurance, if these cannot be provided alongside employment (section 20 (1) SGB VI). Anyone receiving unemployment benefit or basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) is entitled if they cannot work full-time because of the measure (section 20 (2) SGB VI).
According to the pension insurance, under certain conditions it can also be paid between two related benefits.
Transitional allowance, unemployment benefit and Qualifizierungsgeld
All three secure your living costs during a qualification, but in different situations: transitional allowance during vocational rehabilitation, unemployment benefit during vocational training during training with an education voucher, and Qualifizierungsgeld for employees affected by structural change. Anyone who received Qualifizierungsgeld or unemployment benefit before the rehabilitation can receive transitional allowance (section 20 (1) SGB VI).
In practice: an example
You start full-time training through the pension insurance because you can no longer work in your occupation for health reasons. Because you cannot work during this time, the pension insurance usually pays transitional allowance. The pension insurance calculates the amount from your previous income.
How we help you
We clarify with you which funding route fits your situation and look for an approved course in our course finder. All funding routes at a glance are on our funding page, and you can request an appointment here.
Frequently asked questions
Is transitional allowance the same as unemployment benefit during training?
No. Transitional allowance is paid by the rehabilitation provider during rehabilitation; unemployment benefit during vocational training is paid by the employment agency during training with an education voucher.
Related terms
Sources
Legal texts and official bodies this article relies on. Links last checked on .
- Section 20 SGB VI: Transitional allowanceFederal Ministry of Justice, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Vocational rehabilitation (Berufliche Rehabilitation)German pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung)
Note: This information is for general guidance and is not legal advice. Whether you receive funding is decided in each individual case by the responsible office, for example the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit), the job centre or the pension insurance. As of 08.11.2026.