Child increase

Pensions paid by Kela can be supplemented by an increase for children under the age of 16.

You are eligible if you receive any of the following pensions:

  • a national pension
  • a disability pension, partial disability pension, unemployment pension, old-age pension or early old-age pension based on a public- or private-sector employment relationship
  • a statutory pension in respect of disability under an employment accident insurance, motor insurance or military injuries scheme, a life annuity, a disability pension, or a compensation for loss of earnings paid for 12 months following a traffic accident.

Your pension is increased for each child of your own or of your spouse under the age of 16 years who lives in your household. It is also available for foster children placed with you through a private placement process and for children of your own who do not live with you but for whose economic well-being you are responsible.

Being responsible for the economic well-being of a child who is not living with you means that you contribute at least an amount equal to the child maintenance allowance (€151.85), for example by paying child support or by making various purchases for the child and having the child stay with you. Child support payments collected from you through enforcement action are taken into account. Kela evaluates whether your expenditure can be considered to be equal to the child maintenance allowance.

Amount and payment

The amount of the child increase is €21.97 per month for each child. It is tax free and adjusted annually to changes in the national pensions index.

The child increase is deposited into the recipient's account on the same dates as the national pension

Updated 04/23/13