Women often take care of the upbringing of their children in their lives – and have hardly paid into the pension fund. This causes financial problems at retirement age.
Hamburg/Berlin – Women who have spent most of their lives taking care of their families, children and household are often financially disadvantaged in old age. Although you have the option of relying on your spouse for your pension and contributing to his or her retirement provision, divorce or sudden death are risks as a pensioner. Even if in the case of the latter there is the possibility of a widow's pension. Especially for housewives, there is no separate pension. The same conditions apply to them as to all other people in Germany.
The legislator has come up with the maternity pension as a mitigation – our overview shows what it brings to housewives.
| Type of pension: | Maternity pension |
|---|---|
| Introduction: | July 1, 2014 |
| Regulation: | Recognition of child-rearing periods |
| Law for pensioners: | Section 56 Sixth Book of the Social Code |
A lifetime as a housewife, then a pensioner – more pension points through a mother's pension
The maternity pension was intended to prevent mothers from having a lower pension entitlement from the outset because they took care of their offspring in the first few years. The name "mother's pension" for pensioners is somewhat misleading – because it is not a separate pension. The name was used by the CDU/CSU in the 2013 federal election campaign. Since 1 January 2019, the child-rearing period for children born before 1992 has even been 30 months. This was referred to as "Maternity Pension II".
A lifelong housewife and mother, now a pensioner – the mother's pension helps. © Imago (2) / UIG
Who receives the maternity pension – fathers are also entitled as pensioners under certain conditions
In order for the time for housewives to really be credited, they must submit the corresponding application V0800 to the German Pension Insurance. As a rule, the application must be accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate and your own insurance number. In addition to the mother, the following persons are also entitled – because they are recognized as pensioners during child-rearing time:
- Parents of same-sex couples
- Adoptive parents
- Foster parents
- Stepparents
- Grandparents and other relatives
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Fathers can also receive the maternity pension as pensioners if the mother agrees. If a father has mainly taken care of the child in the first three years, he would be entitled to the mother's pension. However, this declaration must be received by the pension insurance company no later than two months after the end of the three years. A later explanation is possible if both parents raised the child equally, but the father's part slightly predominates.
Basic security for pensioners: How much is the pension of a housewife
Those who – like many housewives – are not entitled to a pension can apply for basic security. Needy people who do not receive a regular retirement pension and cannot cover their living expenses with their income are entitled to basic security. The amount of the basic income depends on income and assets – the assets of the spouse are also taken into account. Single adults receive at least 449 euros, couples together receive 809 euros. Of course, housewives can continue to work in old age – some jobs are particularly suitable for pensioners. The pension can also be increased by caring for relatives.
How parents benefit financially from the maternity pension as pensioners
The federal government's regulation on maternity pensions is intended to tie in with this. It takes effect for pensioners shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall: For children born before 1992, the person responsible for raising the child receives up to 2.5 years of child-rearing credited to their pension account. In this case, the average earnings are assumed as earnings. For children born after 1992, there are up to three years of child-rearing and corresponding three pay points. Each year of child-rearing time improves the monthly pension entitlement.
This table shows how parents benefit financially from the maternity pension:
| monthly pension plus West | monthly pension plus East | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Child born before 1992 | up to 2.5 pay points | 90,05 Euro | 88,80 Euro |
| Child born 1992 or later | up to 3 pay points | 108,06 Euro | 106,56 Euro |