German lawmakers back monthly state pension contributions for children, with families able to add more

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Published October 16, 2026last updated October 16, 2026

Germany's parliament has backed a plan to help children save for retirement from the age of six. Meanwhile, Jewish students report death threats after they confronted a far-right lawmaker. DW has the latest.

https://p.dw.com/p/5OK3r

Germany's parliament has approved state-funded retirement savings for children, with final approval from the Bundesrat still pending. (FILE 04/01/2007)
A boy with a piggy bank and banknotes. — Germany's parliament has approved state-funded retirement savings for children (FILE 04/01/2007)Image: Michaela Begsteiger/imageBROKER/picture alliance

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

Germany's Bundestag backs a plan to give money toward private retirement savings to children aged six to 18
Critics warn the scheme could widen inequality because wealthier families can afford to make much larger contributions
Jewish student representatives say they have received death threats after blocking a far-right lawmaker from a synagogue commemoration
The students defended their protest at an event marking seven years since an antisemitic attack on a synagogue in Halle

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Skip next section Jewish students report death threats after protest against far-right AfD

October 16, 2026

Jewish students report death threats after protest against far-right AfD

Representatives of Germany's Jewish Student Union (JSUD) say they have received death threats after blocking an Alternative for Germany (AfD) lawmaker from attending a synagogue commemoration in Halle.

"We have faced significantly more hostility and significantly more hate — including death threats," JSUD chairman Ron Dekel told the RND media group.

The students blocked Hans-Thomas Tillschneider at an event marking seven years since the antisemitic attack on the synagogue. Dekel defended the action, saying right-wing extremists had no place at a synagogue, particularly when survivors and victims' relatives were mourning.

The far-right AfD is classified as extremist in Saxony-Anhalt, where Halle is located and where the party won September's state election. Tillschneider, a deputy speaker of the state parliament, criticized the students and said he had never opposed Jewish life.

Dekel also accused parts of Berlin's socialist Left Party of antisemitism, urging its prospective coalition partners, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and environmentalist Greens, to take this into account.

Young and faithful: What is it like being Jewish in Berlin?

https://p.dw.com/p/5OK8F

Skip next section German lawmakers approve pension savings for children

October 16, 2026

German lawmakers approve pension savings for children

Germany's parliament has approved a scheme giving children aged six to 18 a monthly state payment of €10 ($11) toward private retirement savings. The legislation still needs approval from the Bundesrat, which represents Germany's states.

Lawmakers from the governing conservatives and center-left Social Democrats (SPD) hailed the decision as historic. Michael Thews of the SPD said it would help many people build adequate retirement savings.

Fritz Güntzler, finance spokesperson for the center-right Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), said the scheme would also introduce young people to the opportunities offered by capital markets.

Opposition lawmakers argued that it would deepen inequality because parents and grandparents can contribute up to €6,840 ($7,500) a year.

Stefan Schmidt of the environmentalist Greens called it a two-tier system, saying children who won the "parent lottery" could gain far more than a modest start to retirement saving.

The scheme is part of the government's broader pension reform agenda as Germany's aging population puts pressure on the state retirement system.

What are the German government's pension, labor reforms?

https://p.dw.com/p/5OK50

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

October 16, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Guten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn.

You join us as news comes in that children in Germany are about to start saving for retirement before most have even started thinking about their first job.

The idea is to give young people a head start in building up a pension, with the money invested over decades.

Meanwhile, Jewish student representatives in Germany say they have been receiving death threats after confronting a far-right politician at a synagogue commemoration.

Stay with us here for these stories and more of what Germany is talking about today.

https://p.dw.com/p/5OK41

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