Germany Parental Leave Policy: Threshold Reduced to €150,000

**Germany Plans to Lower Income Ceiling for Parental Leave Benefits**

Germany is set to reduce the income threshold at which families are no longer eligible for government benefits while on parental leave. Family Affairs Minister Lisa Paus announced that parents with a joint taxable income above €150,000 ($163,190) will no longer receive leave payments. The previous threshold was €300,000, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz considers this level to be excessively high and in need of reconsideration.

**Aim to Save on Budget Cuts**

Germany, being Europe’s largest economy, provides significant support for families to address its aging population and encourage parental involvement in childcare. However, due to budget deficits resulting from consecutive crises, the government is now facing drastic budget cuts. The Family Ministry hopes to save around €290 million through this measure.

**Exclusion of Higher-Income Households and Potential Criticisms**

The plan is primarily focused on higher-income households and is expected to exclude 60,000 families from receiving benefits. However, economists argue that this approach fails to consider couples who might have children in the future. About 435,000 couples in Germany, under the age of 50, earn more than the €150,000 limit, accounting for almost 5% of this age group. Critics believe that the income limit is too low and may negatively impact individuals who earn significantly less than their partners. This could place a disproportionate burden on women, who often earn less, forcing them to shoulder the majority of childcare responsibilities to avoid straining household finances.

**Equal Distribution of Parental Responsibilities**

Critics also point out that families with parents who earn similar incomes that together exceed the new threshold will face a significant reduction in family earnings if one decides to take parental leave. The measure is seen as contradicting the goal of achieving gender equality, as it will discourage fathers from taking leave and discourage the equal distribution of parental responsibilities.

**Concerns from the Family Minister**

Family Affairs Minister Lisa Paus herself considers the decision a “bitter pill” and acknowledges that it does not set a shining example for achieving equality. She expressed concerns about reducing benefits for those who might need them the most.

**Overview of Germany’s Parental Allowance**

Germany’s parental allowance provides payments for up to one year after the birth or adoption of a child. The amount is approximately 67% of prenatal income, ranging from €300 to €1,800 per month. If the second parent also takes leave from work for at least two months, the payment can be extended to 14 months. The introduction of this measure in 2007 has positively impacted labor force participation among mothers with children under the age of three, increasing from 43% to 56% in 2019 according to a government report. Additionally, it has encouraged more men to take on childcare responsibilities, with fathers’ applications for parental allowance more than doubling to 43% during this period.

**Approval Process and Budget Priorities**

Before implementation, the planned measures require approval from lawmakers. The ruling coalition signed off on the 2024 budget, prioritizing defense spending while reducing expenditure in other departments.

**Criticism from Opposition Party**

Dorothee Bär, vice chairwoman of the CSU conservative opposition’s parliamentary group, criticized the decision, stating that it primarily affects well-educated and hardworking young women. She expressed concern that these women may have to rely on their husbands to avoid experiencing financial hardship when starting a family.

In conclusion, Germany’s plan to lower the income ceiling for parental leave benefits aims to reduce spending but has faced criticism for potential negative effects on gender equality and unequal distribution of parental responsibilities.