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Money from the state

Child allowances and possible subsidy conditions

In short

For each child you get child benefit for, the state adds exactly as much as you save for old age yourself – at most €300 a year. Here you can read what you need to do for it.

Last checked: 11 October 2026 · 4 min read · RenteKannMehr editorial team

Now in more detail

The child allowance (Kinderzulage) is a supplement to the basic allowance (Grundzulage). It is meant to make it easier for parents to build up a pension of their own.

How it is calculated from 2027

For each child for whom child benefit (Kindergeld) has been awarded to you, the child allowance is 100% of your pension contributions in the year – at most €300 per child. If you pay in €200 a year, it is €200 per child; from an own contribution of €300 the maximum is reached.

The conditions

  • You are eligible for the subsidy yourself, or indirectly eligible through your spouse.
  • Child benefit for the child has been awarded to you in the contribution year.
  • You pay at least the minimum own contribution (Mindesteigenbeitrag) of €120 a year.
  • The allowance is applied for through the provider of your contract.

The previous rules for comparison

Up to and including contribution year 2026, the child allowance is a flat €300 for children born from 2008 onwards and €185 for those born earlier. But it is only paid in full if 4% of the previous year's income minus the allowances is paid in, and at least €60.

What happens when child benefit ends?

When the entitlement to child benefit ends, the child allowance for that child stops. The contract continues with the basic allowance. Allowances already received stay in the contract.

If in doubt, ask

Special rules can apply to parents living apart, blended families or cases with a link to another country. The Central Allowance Office for Retirement Assets (Zentrale Zulagenstelle für Altersvermögen) and the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) give information on this free of charge.

More questions?

If you have more questions, talk to a personal adviser near you. They can look at your situation in detail. Asking is free and without obligation.

Find an adviser near you

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