Politics · Germany · 4 hrs ago
Germany will raise child-rearing pension credits from 2027
Germany’s Mütterrente III will increase pension credits for parents who raised children born before 1992.
Under the current rules, those parents can receive credit for up to 30 months of child-rearing, compared with up to 36 months for children born from 1992 onward.
From January 2027, all children will count for up to 36 months, closing that gap.
The extra six months equal half a pension point, worth €21.26 a month at the pension rate given in the coverage.
About 10 million pensioners are expected to qualify, and a full year of extra credit would amount to €255.12 before deductions.
The higher payments and back pay are due in 2028 because the German Pension Insurance needs time to recalculate existing pensions.
Parents should check that child-rearing periods are recorded in their pension account; missing periods may need to be registered, and the added income can affect some social benefits.
Germany’s Mütterrente III will give the same maximum child-rearing pension credit for children born before or after 1992.
From January 2027, eligible parents will receive credit for up to 36 months of child-rearing per child.
The increased pension payments are scheduled to begin in 2028, with eligible recipients receiving back payments for 2027.
The change is expected to affect around 10 million pensioners.
The additional credit can apply to fathers as well as mothers, and the Deutsche Rentenversicherung says child-rearing periods must be recorded in a person’s pension account.
- Who
- Parents whose children were born before 1992, including fathers who qualify for the child-rearing periods.
- What
- The Mütterrente III will increase pension credits to up to 36 months per child for all birth years.
- When
- The entitlement begins on 1 January 2027. Payments and back payments are expected in 2028.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- To remove the difference in child-rearing pension credits based on a child’s birth year.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Mütterrente began, initially recognizing up to 24 months of child-rearing per child born before 1992.
Mütterrente II increased the credit for children born before 1992 to up to 30 months.
The new rules are due to provide up to 36 months of child-rearing credit for all children.
The increased payments are expected to begin, with back payments for eligible recipients.
- Expected recipients
- Around 10 million pensioners
- Maximum child-rearing credit
- 36 months per child
- Entitlement begins
- 1 January 2027
- Payments begin
- 2028
- Estimated annual cost
- Around €5 billion, financed from tax revenue
3 sources
What people are saying
We will complete the Mütterrente with three pension points for everyone – regardless of the children’s birth year – to ensure equal appreciation and recognition for all mothers