In Montenegro a survivor's pension goes to the family members of a deceased insured person who had at least five years of insurance or met the conditions for an old-age or disability pension, and to the family members of a deceased pensioner. The pension is 70% of the deceased's pension for one family member, and 100% for four or more. In August 2026, 28,038 people in Montenegro received a survivor's pension, averaging 492.40 euros.
This guide explains who is eligible, the conditions for widows, widowers and children, the amount, the application and the changes from December 2026.
Who can receive a survivor's pension?
- A spouse, an unmarried partner and a same-sex life partner.
- An unmarried partner if the relationship lasted at least the last three years before the death, or less if a child was born in it; cohabitation is established in non-contentious court proceedings.
- Children born in or out of marriage, adopted children, stepchildren and a life partner's children whom the deceased supported.
- A divorced spouse who was awarded maintenance by a final court judgment.
- If the death resulted from a work injury or an occupational disease, family members are entitled regardless of the deceased's insurance period.
When is a widow or widower entitled?
| Condition | Entitlement |
| Was 52 by the spouse's death | permanent |
| Became completely unable to work by the death or within one year of it | while the incapacity lasts |
| A child entitled to a survivor's pension remained after the death and the widow or widower cares for them | while the parental duty lasts |
| Pregnancy or a child born after the death | from the date of death |
- Anyone who turns 52 while receiving the pension because of incapacity or childcare keeps it permanently.
- Under Fond PIO's current rules, a widow or widower who was 45 at the time of death becomes entitled on turning 52.
- If the child is stillborn or dies before six months, the widow receives the pension until six months after the birth.
Until when does a child receive a survivor's pension?
- Until age 19.
- After 19 until the end of education, and for students until age 25 at the latest; studying means bachelor's and master's studies.
- A secondary school pupil who turns 19 before the end of the school year keeps the pension until the end of that school year.
- While an inability to live and work independently lasts, if it arose before the age limit for children, or later but before the death of the parent who supported them.
- A child whose education was interrupted by illness also receives the pension during the illness, for at most as long as the illness cost them in education.
How much is the survivor's pension?
| Number of family members | Percentage of the deceased's pension |
| One | 70% |
| Two | 80% |
| Three | 90% |
| Four or more | 100% |
- The base is the old-age or disability pension the deceased insured person would have received, or the pension the deceased was receiving.
- The minimum base is the deceased's old-age pension for 20 years of pensionable service.
- If both a spouse and a divorced spouse are entitled, one pension for one member is set and divided in equal parts.
- Children who have lost both parents also receive part of the other parent's pension: 20% for one, 40% for two, 60% for three and 100% for four or more children, but in total no more than the maximum old-age pension for 40 years of service.
- Where maintenance is a condition, the deceased is deemed to have supported the family member if that person's average monthly income in the previous year did not exceed the minimum pension and they shared the same residence.
How do you apply?
- A family member applies at the Fond PIO regional unit for the area where the deceased was last insured.
- The application includes a death register extract, the work booklet and birth register extracts for the family members.
- A widow or widower attaches a marriage register extract, an unmarried partner the court decision on cohabitation and a life partner proof of the partnership.
- For children over 19 a school certificate is attached, and for incapacity for work medical records.
- A statement that the family members are not employed, not self-employed and not receiving another pension is attached, together with a current account number.
What changes from 1 December 2026?
- Instead of complete incapacity for work, a widow, widower or child needs established disability status and the fourth level of required support under the Law on Unified Disability Assessment.
- The new provision on widows and widowers no longer contains the rule on becoming entitled at 52 for those who were 45 at the time of death, so check such a case with Fond PIO.
- Procedures started before 1 December 2026 are completed under the previous rules, and beneficiaries keep the rights they have acquired.
How the old-age pension is calculated is covered in our guide to pensions, and registering a death and funeral costs in our guide to registering a death. Inheritance is covered in our guide to probate, and child benefit in our guide to child benefit.
Frequently asked questions
How much insurance must the deceased have had for the family to receive a pension? At least five years of insurance or the conditions for an old-age or disability pension, and after a death from a work injury no insurance period is required.
How much is the survivor's pension for one family member? For one family member the survivor's pension is 70% of the deceased's pension.
Until what age does a child receive a survivor's pension? Until 19, and while in education until the end of it, for students until 25 at the latest.
Is an unmarried partner entitled to a survivor's pension? Yes, if the relationship lasted at least three years before the death or a child was born in it, and the relationship is established in court.
Where do you apply for a survivor's pension? At the Fond PIO regional unit for the area where the deceased was last insured.
What is the average survivor's pension? In August 2026 the average survivor's pension in Montenegro was 492.40 euros.
Sources
The right to a survivor's pension, family members, conditions and the amount are set by the Pension and Disability Insurance Law (Articles 42 to 51), and the current rules, application and documents are published by Fond PIO. The changes linked to unified assessment come from the October 2025 amendments, Official Gazette 122/2025, which apply from the start of unified disability assessment on 1 December 2026, as set by the June 2026 amendment to the Law on Unified Assessment, Official Gazette 92/2026. The number of recipients and the average pension are published in Fond PIO statistics. The information was checked on 27 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.