Retirement points and payments for children: what awaits Russian families in 2026

In 2026, Russian families expect a significant increase in government support measures: maternity capital will be indexed by 6.8%, as a result of which the payment for the first child will exceed 737 thousand rubles, and for the second — 974 thousand rubles, if the family did not receive it for the firstborn. At the same time, an initiative is being considered to increase retirement points for child care. What will change in 2026 is in the Izvestia article.

Planned increase in lump sum payments

The system of support for families with children in Russia is multilevel and includes a number of payments, benefits and services. Key social policy measures are aimed at improving the demographic situation and financial well-being of parents. Further development of these mechanisms is expected in the near future.

So, starting from February 2026, the maternity capital will be indexed by 6.8%. After the increase, the payment for the first child will amount to more than 737.2 thousand rubles, and for the second — over 974.1 thousand rubles. And the one-time allowance for the birth of a child will grow to 28,773 rubles.

Families with children born or adopted during the established periods have the right to receive maternity capital. An important condition starting in 2024 is that the child has Russian citizenship from the moment of birth.

The funds of the maternity capital can be used to improve housing conditions, educate children, including paying for accommodation in a dormitory, as well as to purchase goods for disabled children. Low-income families can receive monthly payments until the child reaches the age of 3. With a balance of less than 10 thousand rubles, you can receive a one-time payment through the Gosuslugi portal.

The Ministry of Labor told about the amount of maternity capital in 2026

Retirement points for children: upcoming changes

In parallel with direct financial support measures, initiatives affecting women's pension rights are being considered. We are talking about reviewing the amount of pension points awarded for periods of child care. Currently, mothers receive a certain number of points for each child, which directly affect the amount of their future pension.

And the amount of points depends on the order of the child: 1.8 points per year are awarded for the first child, 3.6 points for the second, 5.4 points each for the third and subsequent children. If the parent continued to work during this period, the most profitable option will be selected when calculating the pension — either points for work or for child care. When caring for several children at the same time, the points are added together.

At the same time, Russia may increase the number of pension points for each subsequent child.

— Now we have minimum pension points for every child with whom the parents are, and, accordingly, this has a lesser effect on the pension amount. Now we are discussing that the number of pension points will be increased for each subsequent child," said Tatyana Butskaya, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Fatherhood, Motherhood and Childhood, in an interview with Izvestia.

This measure is designed to more fairly take into account the contribution of mothers with many children to the social development of the country.

Alternative initiatives and focus on health

In addition to payments and pension innovations, non-standard demographic initiatives are periodically discussed in the public space. One of them is the proposal to introduce an annual "demographic week". This is the name of paid leave for married couples and single citizens, aimed at strengthening personal relationships.

— It doesn't necessarily take a separate week for a family to be formed and a child to be born. A good state of health is much more important, both for women and men. You can find out about your condition through a reproductive medical examination. However, men do not go well to any medical examinations. At the same time, 50% of infertility in our country is a male factor, so we are now focusing more on supporting men's reproductive health," said DEPUTY Tatiana Butskaya.

Also, earlier in the State Duma, it was proposed to introduce a week-long paid leave for fathers of infants. According to the new legislative initiative, fathers will be able to take parental leave during the first year of their child's life. After this period, the right to leave is lost, and no monetary compensation is paid. It is planned to introduce appropriate amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation to implement these changes.