The early-start pension (Frühstart-Rente) is a planned state contribution to retirement provision for children. According to the German Pension Insurance (DRV), the Bundestag passed it on 16 October 2026, but the legislative process is not yet complete. For students it is only indirectly relevant, because it targets children aged six to under 18.
Short answer: The early-start pension is a state contribution of 10 euros a month for children with a first residence in Germany between 6 and 18 years old. According to the government bill of 7 September 2026, it is due to start in 2027. The DRV reports that the Bundestag passed it on 16 October 2026. Status: October 2026.
The key points
- The contribution is 10 euros a month under the government bill, which is 120 euros a year, for each eligible child.
- Eligible are children who have turned six but are not yet 18. They need a first residence in Germany and an identification number.
- The bill plans a start on 1 January 2027. The details on the first birth cohort differ slightly between the bill and the DRV.
- The subsidised capital is in principle not to be paid out before age 65.
- For students the early-start pension is usually not directly relevant, but it is for parents and relatives.
Who receives the early-start pension?
According to the government bill, children are entitled once they have turned six but have not yet turned 18. They must be registered with a first residence in Germany and hold an identification number under section 139b of the Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung).
Anyone who is 18 or older falls outside these age limits and therefore outside the subsidy. For students it is usually not directly relevant. For parents, grandparents and other relatives, it is information worth keeping in view.
There is a small difference on the starting cohort. The DRV names children born in 2020 and 2021 as the first affected, while the government bill names the 2020 birth cohort as the start. The final law text is decisive.
How high is the contribution and how is the money paid?
Under the government bill, the contribution is 10 euros for each month, which is 120 euros a year. If the child has a pension contract (Altersvorsorgevertrag), the payment is made in favour of that contract. Without such a contract, the federal government invests the money collectively on the capital market for the relevant birth cohort, according to the bill.
Assumption: a child receives the 10 euro monthly contribution for twelve years, from age six to 18. That makes 1,440 euros in total, before returns and costs. Whether payments actually run over that full period depends on the final rules.
| Feature | Figure | Source and status |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution | 10 euros a month, 120 euros a year | Government bill, Bundestag printed paper 21/7864 of 7 September 2026 |
| Age limits | From age 6 until before age 18 | Government bill, section 1 (2) |
| Requirement | First residence in Germany and identification number | Government bill, section 1 (2) |
| Start | Birth cohort 2020 (bill), 2020 and 2021 (DRV) | Government bill, DRV notice of 19 October 2026 |
| Payout | In principle not before age 65 | Government bill, problem and objective |
| Parliament | Passed by the Bundestag on 16 October 2026, procedure not yet complete | DRV notice of 19 October 2026 |
Sources for the table: the government bill (Drucksache 21/7864, in German) and the DRV notice. The figures come from the bill and the DRV description, not from a final law.
What is still open?
- For whether and how parents can top up the contribution, the DRV refers to its FAQ. We have not reviewed those details and therefore do not state them as fact.
- The bill describes the investment for the case without a pension contract. How this is set out in the final version remains to be seen.
- The Bundestag has passed the law, but the procedure is not complete according to the DRV. Changes between the bill and the final law are possible.
- Whether an application is needed is not clear from the information available. Ask the DRV once the law has been passed.
What does this mean for students and young parents?
For students the early-start pension is only indirectly relevant. If you have children or look after children in your circle, it may play a role. The subsidy is a building block for the family, but it does not replace your own retirement provision.
Plan your own retirement provision independently of it. For adults, the practical questions concern the Riester reform and the pension depot. Related background is in our guides Riester Reform 2027: What Changes for Students and Young Professionals and on the pension depot 2027.
If you are a parent or receive child benefit, it is also worth reading about child benefit for first training. That guide covers entitlement and special cases, not the early-start pension.
A look at your overall situation helps decide whether such a subsidy is worth taking along and when it is only a small part of the plan. For a family on a tight budget, every extra euro can count. For others, the contribution is more of a supplement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to apply for the early-start pension?
The DRV notice gives no details on this. The government bill requires an identification number and a first residence in Germany. Whether and how an application is needed should be checked with the DRV after the law is passed.
Does the early-start pension apply to all children?
No. Eligible are children from the completion of their sixth year of life until before their 18th birthday, with a first residence in Germany. An identification number is also required.
When is the money paid out?
According to the government bill, the subsidised capital is in principle not payable before age 65. The payout is therefore far in the future.
How does the early-start pension relate to a pension contract?
The bill distinguishes two routes. With a pension contract, the contribution is paid in favour of that contract. Without one, the federal government invests the money. Which route makes sense for a family depends on the final rules and the costs.
Does the early-start pension replace my own retirement provision?
No. The contribution is intended for children and amounts to 120 euros a year. You need to plan your own retirement provision independently of it.
What to do next
- Follow the progress of the legislative process in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, because the bill may still change.
- Check whether the age limits and the residence rule fit a child in your circle.
- After the law is passed, read the DRV FAQ on payments, top-ups and investment.
- Plan your own retirement provision independently of this subsidy, for example with the Riester reform in mind.
Related guides
- Riester Reform 2027: What Changes for Students and Young Professionals
- Pension depot 2027: subsidy and bonus for young people
- Child Benefit First Training: Age Limit and Work Rules
- Organising finances during studies: account, emergency fund and deadlines (in German)
Sources: German Pension Insurance: early-start pension passed by the Bundestag (status 19 October 2026, in German) and Government bill “Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Einführung einer Frühstartrente”, Bundestag printed paper 21/7864 (7 September 2026, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
