Parental allowance plus - part-time - mini-job - additional earnings

Part-time – mini-job – additional earnings – partnership bonus

More flexibility and justice thanks to ElterngeldPlus: Since July 1st, 2015, parents can choose between basic parental allowance and the Decide Parental Allowance Plus. ElterngeldPlus is aimed primarily at parents who want to work part-time again shortly after the child is born.

With the introduction of ElterngeldPlus, the so-called “partnership bonus” was introduced, which enables mothers and fathers to share the care of their child.

And: the basic parental allowance, the parental allowance plus and the partnership bonus months can even be combined.

Differences between basic parental allowance and parental allowance plus

The previous parental allowance, called basic parental allowance since 2015, will be paid for a maximum of 14 months – including the two partner months (“father months”). If hours are worked again during this time, significant cuts in parental allowance must be accepted.

With ElterngeldPlus, on the other hand, parents who go back to work part-time shortly after the birth of the child can receive government funding for up to 32 months (including the partnership bonus). One month of parental allowance therefore becomes two months of parental allowance plus.

At first glance, it is assumed that the ElterngeldPlus is a financial cutback, because the ElterngeldPlus amounts to a maximum of 50% of the amount paid to parents without part-time income after birth. However, this amount is also paid for the double period, namely for a maximum of 32 months (instead of 14 months).

Based parental allowance	Parental allowance Plus
Reference period	Up to 14 months after the birth of the child (Incl. partner month)	Up to 32 months after the birth of the child (Incl. partnership Bonus)
Monthly amount	65% to 100% of the average net income of the last 12 months before birth Minimum amount 300 euros Maximum amount 1,800 euros	a maximum of half of the parental allowance that would be due to parents without part-time income after the birth. Minimum amount 150 euros Maximum amount EUR 900 → amount capped: The parental allowance plus must not be higher than the basic parental allowance
Part-time job	up to 30 hours a week possible. → Parental allowance is reduced depending on earnings	up to 30 hours a week possible. → The parental allowance plus is lower than the parental allowance, but it is not additionally reduced for a part-time position & is available for up to 32 months.

ElterngeldPlus advantage: promotion of part-time work

ElterngeldPlus was introduced for more justice and flexibility. Because before the introduction of ElterngeldPlus, parents who worked part-time just a few months after the birth of their child were disadvantaged compared to non-working parents. According to the old model, the parental allowance was reduced by the amount of the part-time job, but the reference period was not extended. In total, these parents received less parental allowance.

With ElterngeldPlus, parents who return to work part-time after the birth of their child can extend their entitlement to parental benefit. As a result, they receive less money each month than in the basic parental allowance, but since the reference time is twice as long, they have no financial disadvantages.

Partnership bonus: Four additional months of ElterngeldPlus

If parents share childcare and work at the same time for four months between 25 and 30 hours a week, they are entitled to the partnership bonus (not to be confused with the partner months). This ensures four additional Parental Allowance Plus months per parent. However, it is a prerequisite that at least one parent receives Parental Allowance Plus from the child’s 15th month of life.

Even if Parental Allowance Plus is only applied for for two months, for example, the requirements for part-time work for both parents must be met. Means: The parents still have to work for four months at a time between 25 and 30 hours a week.

But single parents are also supported with the partnership bonus: if they work part-time for four consecutive months (between 25 and 30 hours per week), they also receive four additional months of Parental Allowance Plus.

Combination of parental allowance, parental allowance plus and partnership bonus

The basic parental allowance, the parental allowance plus and the Partnership bonuses can be combined:

Image source: Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth

ElterngeldPlus: calculation example

The Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth makes the respective entitlement to parental benefit and ElterngeldPlus clear in two calculation examples:

Calculation example 1

Mother’s income before the birth of the child: 1,400 euros / month
Parental benefit entitlement in the event of a full career break: 910 euros / month (= 65% of 1,400 euros)
Total parental allowance for twelve months: 10,920 euros (12 x 910 euros)

However, after giving birth, the mother continues to work part-time (40%). Which model – basic parental allowance or parental allowance plus – should now be decided?

parental benefits	Parental allowance Plus
Income after the birth of the child from part-time work: 560 euros / month
Loss of income of 840 euros / month
Parental allowance 546 euros / month (65% of loss of income)	ElterngeldPlus 455 euros / month (50% of the full parental benefit entitlement without the part-time job, i.e. 50% of 910 euros)
Total monthly income 1,106 euros (= 560 euros + 546 euros)	Total monthly income 1,015 euros (= 560 euros + 455 euros)
Total parental allowance for max. 12 months 6,552 euros (= 12 x 546 euros)	Total parental allowance plus for max. 24 months 10,920 euros (= 24 x 455 euros)
4,368 euros plus through ElterngeldPlus

In this example, the mother should opt for Parental Allowance Plus. The total monthly income here is only € 91 less than with the basic parental allowance and is paid out for the double period, so that the mother can record a total of € 4,368.

Calculation example 2

Mother’s income before the birth of the child: 2,200 euros / month
Parental benefit entitlement in the event of a full career break: 1,430 euros / month (= 65% of 2,200 euros)
Parental allowance in total for twelve months: EUR 17,160 (12 x EUR 1,430)

After birth, the mother continues to work part-time (75%).

parental benefits	Parental allowance Plus
Income after the birth of the child from part-time work: 1,650 euros / month
Loss of income of EUR 550 / month
Parental allowance 357.50 euros / month (65% of loss of income)	ElterngeldPlus 357.50 euros / month (Attention: amount of cover: The parental allowance plus must not be higher than the basic parental allowance!)
Total monthly income 2,007.50 euros (= 1,650 euros + 357.50 euros)	Total monthly income 2,007.50 euros (= 1,650 euros + 357.50 euros)
Total parental allowance for max. 12 months 4,290 euros (= 12 x 357.50 euros)	Total parental allowance plus for max. 24 Months 8,580 euros (= 24 x 357.50 euros)
4,290 euros plus through ElterngeldPlus

In this example, too, the mother should definitely opt for Parental Allowance Plus. The total monthly income here is just as high as the basic parental allowance, in addition it is paid out for the double period, so that the mother can register a plus of a total of 4,290 euros.

Individual decision: basic parental allowance or parental allowance plus?

For those who do not intend to work again in the first few months after the birth of the child, the basic parental allowance is (initially) the right choice. The ElterngeldPlus is always interesting if the parents want to get back to work quickly after the birth of the child.

The BMFSFJ provides a parental allowance calculator so that (expectant) parents can find out which funding options make sense before the child is born. Combinations of parental allowance and ElterngeldPlus can also be calculated here.

at open If you have any questions, we recommend that you seek comprehensive advice from the competent parental allowance office.