The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs has formally rejected reports suggesting that in the future, recipients would only qualify for the full 14 months of parental benefit if both parents took seven months of parental leave each. A ministry spokesperson stated in Berlin on Friday that the claim was “pure speculation and entirely without foundation,” adding that the department viewed the media report with “great surprise.”
While the spokesperson confirmed that the ministry is currently working on reforming the parental benefit system, implementing the commitment outlined in the coalition agreement to promote greater partnership and simplification, they also noted that budget constraints affecting the entire federal budget must be considered. The stated goal of the reform is to ensure the parental benefit remains an appealing family provision.
Regarding the specific report-which, according to RND newspapers, mentioned a requirement for a seven-month split-the spokesperson conceded, “It might be that this model somehow existed on paper.”
However, the ministry announced that a clear decision on the future direction of the parental benefit is imminent. Since the government budget proposal must be presented in early July, the outcome regarding the parental benefit, which is the largest expenditure item in the Ministry’s total budget, must be finalized by then.
Meanwhile, a separate rumor circulated through political circles in Berlin on Friday: “Der Spiegel” reported that Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) may seek to reduce the maximum duration of parental leave from 14 months to 12 months. Under this proposed scenario, if parents wish to receive the maximum statutory income replacement, both partners would be required to take at least four months of leave each-an increase from the current two months-with the remaining four months able to be divided between the parents.
