sueddeutsche.de
German Parents Receive Financial Support for Child Rearing
In Germany, parents can apply for child-rearing periods to offset career breaks, receiving contributions based on average wages up to the child's third birthday, and child-consideration periods until the tenth birthday, potentially increasing later pension benefits.
- What are the potential challenges or overlooked aspects of these support programs for parents?
- Parents must actively apply for both child-rearing and child-consideration periods; these are not automatic. Although parents receive a letter from the pension insurance after birth, other immediate concerns might delay application, potentially reducing later pension benefits.
- What financial support do German parents receive for raising children, and how does it affect their retirement?
- Parents can claim child-rearing periods in the German pension insurance for up to three years, receiving contributions based on an average wage (currently around €4200 monthly). Additionally, child-consideration periods until the child's tenth birthday can positively impact their pension, potentially increasing the value of their previous low-earning employment by up to 50%.
- How do child-rearing and child-consideration periods affect pension benefits, and who benefits most from these programs?
- Child-rearing periods contribute average-wage-based contributions to the pension, benefiting those who previously earned less. Child-consideration periods contribute to the waiting period for early retirement and can increase the value of low-earning employment periods by up to 50%, up to the average annual income (€50,493 in 2025).
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the financial implications of raising children in Germany, acknowledging both the sacrifices made by parents and the government support available through the pension system. It highlights both the potential benefits and drawbacks of claiming Kindererziehungszeiten and Kinderberücksichtigungszeiten, presenting information objectively rather than advocating a particular viewpoint.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, using factual statements and figures to convey information. Terms such as "Einbußen in Kauf nehmen" (accepting financial losses) are descriptive rather than loaded or emotionally charged.
Bias by Omission
While the article covers the main aspects of parental contributions to the pension system in Germany, it omits details about other potential support systems for parents, such as childcare subsidies or parental leave policies. This omission, however, is likely due to the article's focus and length rather than intentional bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses German policies that support parents financially during child-rearing, helping to alleviate potential financial burdens and reducing the risk of poverty for families. By providing contributions based on average wages for parental leave and offering financial boosts to low-income earners' pension contributions, the system indirectly helps prevent families from falling into poverty.