Self-employed individuals seeking additional pension during maternity leave: Here's how to do it - Self-employed individuals securing an additional pension through maternity benefits
In Germany, self-employed individuals can secure a maternity pension (Mütterrente) by voluntarily contributing to the statutory pension insurance scheme. Although they are not compulsorily insured like employees, they can opt into the system and make regular contributions to become eligible for pension benefits, including maternity pension rights.
To participate, self-employed individuals must register and pay contributions at rates defined for voluntary insurance. A minimum contribution period, or years of contributions, is required to qualify for pension benefits, including maternity pension rights. Pregnancy protections now extend to pregnancies from the 13th week, which may affect contribution eligibility and benefits.
Contributions are calculated based on declared income, generally a percentage similar to mandatory pension insurance contributions for employees. The contribution ceilings and rates are subject to ongoing reform measures, but they aim to guarantee a pension level of at least 48% of average income, potentially affecting contribution amounts for self-employed persons.
The cost varies individually, depending on income and chosen contribution level, but it generally entails monthly payments similar to employee pension contribution rates, adjusted for self-employment income.
Self-employed individuals who raise children automatically acquire pension claims against the German Pension Insurance. The minimum contribution for self-employed individuals is currently 103.42 Euro per month, and the maximum amount is 1,404.30 Euro per month (2025). If a self-employed parent has only one child or two children and divides the child-rearing periods, they can supplement the two missing years for payment by making voluntary payments.
For each child, one parent can have three pension years credited. Paying 2,442 Euro (minimum contribution for two years) secures two pension years for self-employed individuals. However, this results in a monthly pension of 11.20 Euro, but with the additional three child-rearing years, it becomes almost 134 Euro per month.
To receive a pension, one must have five years of pension insurance, known as "waiting time" in German Pension Insurance jargon. Waiting periods may have been created through mini-jobs or other special reasons, and it might not be necessary to pay voluntarily at all. It is recommended to initiate a bank statement review or arrange a consultation to check if the mother's pension is granted and to avoid unnecessary payments.
The child-rearing periods are only recognized by the pension office as long as the parents do not acquire other child pension claims. Self-employed individuals must assert the mother's pension. With three child-rearing years and two pension years, self-employed individuals can establish a pension claim. With two children, one parent usually has six pension years, enough for a claim to receive a pension.
Reforms are aiming to include more self-employed persons under statutory social security participation to improve support for mothers and achieve financial sustainability. For more information, it is advisable to consult with a pension advisor or the German Pension Insurance directly.
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- The German Pension Insurance considers self-employed individuals who raise children to automatically acquire pension claims, and these individuals can supplement missing years of contributions through voluntary payments to increase their pension benefits.
- Contributions for self-employed personal-finance management in Germany towards the Community institution (German Pension Insurance) help secure social security, including maternity pension rights, and are calculated based on declared income, following a pattern similar to mandatory pension insurance contributions for employees in the business sector.