Question 1

Has the Early-Start Pension already been passed into law?

Accepted Answer

No. The Early-Start Pension is only planned so far. It is based on the German government's key points paper from 17 December 2025. There is no finished law yet – a retroactive start on 1 January 2026 is planned. All figures in this calculator are based on the currently known key points and may still change with the final version of the law.

Question 2

How much does the state pay into the Early-Start Pension?

Accepted Answer

The plan is 10 € per month, i.e. 120 € per year, that the state pays into an individual, capital-funded retirement account for the child. Funding runs from age 6 to age 18 – over the full twelve years that adds up to a maximum of 1,440 € in state contributions. What matters for the final result, however, is less this sum than the long investment period until retirement.

Question 3

Which children receive the Early-Start Pension?

Accepted Answer

The plan is to fund children between 6 and 18 who attend an educational institution in Germany. The start is planned as a rolling one: the first eligible cohort is children born in 2020, who turn six in 2026. Younger children join as soon as they turn 6. Whether and how older children who are already over 6 in 2026 will be included is still open in the final version of the law.

Question 4

What happens to the money until retirement?

Accepted Answer

The money is invested in the capital market – the plan is an investment that participates in the development of the capital markets. It is locked until the standard retirement age and cannot be withdrawn before then. This long lock-up is precisely the core of the idea: if a child starts at 6, the capital has around 60 years to grow through compound interest.

Question 5

Can you pay in yourself from age 18?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that is planned. From age 18, private top-up contributions into the retirement account should be possible. These private contributions are intended to be tax-advantaged, and the returns during the saving phase should remain tax-free. In our calculator you can set a monthly top-up from age 18 and see immediately how much it lifts the final result.

Question 6

How much can the Early-Start Pension grow into?

Accepted Answer

That depends mainly on the return and the investment period. The state's 10 € a month alone can, at around 6 % return and a start at age 6, grow to a low five-figure amount by age 67 – from a maximum of 1,440 € in contributions. With private top-ups from age 18 it can become a considerably higher amount. Calculate your own scenario with the tool.

Question 7

Early-Start Pension or your own ETF savings plan – which is better?

Accepted Answer

Both have pros and cons. The Early-Start Pension adds state money on top plus planned tax advantages, but is locked until retirement. Your own ETF savings plan in the child's name is flexible and available at any time, but receives no state funding. Many families will combine both. You will find a detailed comparison in our guide.

Question 8

Are the figures in the calculator guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No. The calculator shows a model calculation based on the planned rules and a constant return you choose. Actual capital market returns fluctuate from year to year and can also be negative. In addition, the law has not yet been passed. The results are therefore a guide, not a binding promise – all information without guarantee.

Guide: Early-Start Pension Calculator

Early-Start Pension: What 10 € a Month Really Grows Into by Retirement

Birth Year 2020: How the Early-Start Pension Rolls Out – and Who Follows

Compound Interest for Children Explained: Why the Early Years Matter Most

Early-Start Pension vs. Your Own ETF Savings Plan for a Child: The Honest Comparison

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