The mothers' pension has cost around 119 billion euros since its introduction in 2014 and currently burdens the pension insurance with 13.5 billion euros per year. From 2027, an expansion by another six months will raise costs to 18.5 billion euros, funded by tax revenues. The measure equalizes child-rearing periods for mothers before and after 1992 but faces criticism due to pressure on the pension system.
The mothers' pension was introduced in 2014 to better recognize the child-rearing contributions of older women who gave birth before 1992. Previously, only one year of child-rearing credit was applied for these children, compared to three years for those born after 1992. Since then, the regulation has cost around 119 billion euros, according to figures from the German Pension Insurance provided to the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND).
In 2014 (Mütterrente I), the crediting period increased to two years, with annual costs of about seven billion euros. In 2019 (Mütterrente II), it rose to two and a half years, driving expenses above 12 billion euros. The recently approved Mütterrente III in December 2023 by the Bundestag expands it to three years from 2027, achieving full equalization. Implementation begins in 2027, with retroactive payments from 2028, increasing pensions by about 20 euros per child per month.
The additional five billion euros annually will come from tax revenues, raising total costs to 18.5 billion euros. The CSU pushed this through as an election promise and anchored it in the black-red coalition agreement. Criticism arises from younger politicians and experts, who point to financial pressures from an aging society. The CDU Wirtschaftsrat recently called for its abolition. The Greens plan a constitutional complaint against the 2025 budget, labeling the expansion an 'election gift'.
