Assistance through the Soldiers' Compensation Act (SEG)

For many soldiers and their families, the turn of the year 2024/2025 will bring a decisive change: on 1 January 2025, the new Soldiers' Compensation Act (SEG) came into force. It replaces parts of the previous Soldiers' Pension Act and bundles the provision of benefits in the event of military service injury in a separate law.

It is important to us to inform you about the improved benefits - especially in the area of medical and psychotherapeutic care. Here is a compact overview of your entitlements.

The Soldiers' Compensation Act (SEG) places the individual at the centre. The aim is to Customised and individual care für alle, die durch ihren Dienst eine gesundheitliche Schädigung erlitten haben.

Das Prinzip lautet: Besteht eine anerkannte Wehrdienstbeschädigung (WDB), haben Sie Anspruch auf umfassende staatliche Unterstützung – von der medizinischen Behandlung bis zur finanziellen Entschädigung.

A key issue for many of our members is medical care. The law makes a distinction here between active and former soldiers:

The SEG §11 improves financial security. The monthly compensation payment is tax-free, does not count as income and is seizure-proof. The amount depends on the degree of the consequences of the injury (GdS) and starts from a GdS of 30.

In addition, there are regulations on Compensation for loss of earnings, if the old occupation can no longer be practised due to the injury, resulting in a loss of income.

The SEG thinks further than just the doctor's door. There are services for Social participation, which should enable you to participate in life in a self-determined way.

These include, for example:

Family members are also better protected. Widows, widowers and orphans receive increased compensation payments, which are also tax-free.

• Widowed persons: Lump sum 750 Euro monthly.
• Orphans: Depending on status between 400 and 650 Euro until the age of 27.
• Parents can also receive support benefits under certain conditions (e.g. reduced earning capacity).

Anyone drawing pension benefits before 2025 need not worry. There is a Right to voteYou will be informed in December 2024 and have until the end of 2025 to decide whether you want to switch to the new SEG law or keep your existing benefits (grandfathering).

Der Sozialdienst der Bundeswehr ist nicht nur für aktive, sondern ausdrücklich auch für alle ehemaligen Soldatinnen und Soldaten sowie deren Angehörige ein zentraler und wichtiger Ansprechpartner. Die Fachkräfte des Sozialdienstes übernehmen eine entscheidende Beraterfunktion, um Sie sicher durch die Vorgaben des neuen Soldatenentschädigungsgesetzes zu navigieren. Sie bieten konkrete Unterstützung im oft unübersichtlichen Antragsdschungel – von der Erstberatung bis zur formgerechten Stellung des Antrags auf Anerkennung einer Wehrdienstbeschädigung (WDB).

In addition to in-depth social counselling on your financial and pension entitlements, the social service also offers close psychosocial support for you and your family. As all employees are subject to strict legal confidentiality, you will find a completely safe and confidential space here. The social service helps you to cope with any professional, health or family burdens resulting from an injury and, if necessary, smoothly coordinates further steps with interfaces such as the Federal Accident Insurance Fund (UVB) or the Federal Office of Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr (BAPersBw).

The application for benefits is often informal, but should always be documented. The first point of contact for active soldiers is the military doctor or social services, for former soldiers the UVB.

Central contact points:

Official information from the Bundeswehr: Detailed tables and further information can be found directly on the Bundeswehr website:

https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/menschen-karrieren/gehalt-bundeswehr-besoldung-entgelt-zulagen-tabellen/informationsseite-seg