Your Pension and Children

At a glance

• Where: German pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung, DRV)
• When: Any time; easiest soon after the birth, so the years are not missed later
• You need: Form V0800 with the birth certificate; V0820 if the credits should go to the other parent
• Apply: Form V0800 (PDF) · DRV hotline 0800 1000 4800

Time spent raising a child counts for the German statutory pension, even if you do not work and pay no contributions. This is called Kindererziehungszeit. Many parents, especially those who moved to Germany, never get it recorded and lose money later.

How much it is worth

• 3 years per child: for each child born in 1992 or later, starting the month after the birth (§ 56 SGB VI).
• Pension value: each year counts like an average wage, almost one pension point: about 42.52 € a month more pension per year, about 127 € for three years (Deutsche Rentenversicherung).
• Working too? The credits are added on top of your own contributions, up to the contribution ceiling.
• Another child: born within the 3 years? The periods are extended, nothing is lost.

Who gets the credit

• One parent per month: the one who mainly looks after the child.
• Default: mother: if you raise the child together.
• Switch to the father: joint declaration with form V0820, only for the future or at most 2 months back.
• Adoptive, step, foster parents: can also qualify.

You have to apply

Form V0800 → Birth certificate → Pension account

• Form: V0800, with a copy of the birth certificate. Only then are the credits stored.
• Forgot? Not lost: you can claim it later with your pension application, but it is easier now while documents are at hand.
• Check: your insurance record (Versicherungsverlauf) in the DRV online service shows what is recorded.

Up to age 10: Berücksichtigungszeiten

The first 10 years of each child count as Berücksichtigungszeit for the same parent (§ 57 SGB VI). They help you reach the minimum insurance periods and, if you have at least 25 years of pension periods, can increase your pension if you worked while raising your child or raised two or more children under 10 at the same time.

Children born before 1992: Mütterrente III

For children born before 1992, the credit is currently 2.5 years. From 1 January 2027 it rises to 3 years, the same as for younger children. Because of the technical work, payment starts in 2028, with a back payment. In most cases you do not need to apply (Deutsche Rentenversicherung).

Raising your child abroad

Usually only time spent raising the child in Germany counts. There are exceptions, for example if you were posted abroad by a German employer, and EU rules can apply. Ask the DRV about your case.

Free advice

The Deutsche Rentenversicherung gives free advice by phone at 0800 1000 4800 (Mon–Thu 8:00–19:00, Fri 8:00–15:30) and in local advice centres.

Sources

• § 56 SGB VI, Kindererziehungszeiten
• § 57 SGB VI, Berücksichtigungszeiten
• Kindererziehung, Deutsche Rentenversicherung
• Mütterrente III, Deutsche Rentenversicherung
• Kindererziehung: Ihr Plus für die Rente, DRV brochure