Overview
- Union and SPD introduced a bill for a one-time, tax- and contribution-free payment of up to €1,000 that employers can grant to employees in 2026.
- The draft states Jobcenters would not treat the bonus as income for people who work and receive basic income support under SGB II.
- Employees would have no legal right to the payment because companies choose whether to offer it.
- Reports describe a window centered on 2026 with a possible extension through June 30, 2027.
- About 810,000 low-wage ‘Aufstocker’—workers whose wages are topped up by basic support—could keep the full sum to cover rising costs like fuel, while critics question fairness and how many firms will actually pay.