A recipient of an old age pension may be entitled to an increment for "dependents": spouse and children of the pension recipient. This increment will be paid only to a person who meets the definition of "spouse" or "child" in the National Insurance Law.
A woman receiving an old age pension as a housewifeA married woman (except for aguna) whose husband is covered in old-age insurance, or a widow who receives a survivors' pension or a dependents' pension – if she does not work as a salaried employee nor as a self-employed worker. is not entitled to an increment for "dependents" (spouse and children).
Increment for a wife
Will be paid to the pension recipient for his Israeli residentA person whose life is centered in Israel. Criteria for determining this include: Israel is your permanent place of residence, where your family resides, where your children go to school, your primary place of work, or where you are studying. wife who does not receive a pension under the National Insurance Law, and as long as she meets all spouse's criteria under Old-Age Insurance Law.
Increment for a husband
Will be paid to the pension recipient for her Israeli resident husband who does not receive a pension under the National Insurance Law, and who meets all spouse's criteria under Old-Age Insurance Law.
Please note, whether your spouse's income have increased or changed, you must notify the National Insurance Institute, since entitlement to an increment for dependents is given on a monthly basis.
Whether the wife is 67 years old or more, or the husband is 70 years old or more - their income will not be tested with respect to the increment.
Increment for children
Will be paid to the pension recipient for a son or daughter (including a stepchild, adopted child, but excluding a teenager who is married), as long as he/she meets all child's criteria under Old-Age Insurance Law.
Whether both you and your spouse are receiving a benefit from the NII, the increment for children will be paid to the one receiving the highest pension.
Increment rates
The increment for a child is paid for the first two children only. Increment rate for each of the first two children is NIS 549 (as of Jan 01, 2024).
Increment rate for a spouse is NIS 873 (as of Jan 01, 2024).
Submitting a claim for the increment
One can request an increment for a spouse on the Old-Age Pension Claim form.
If you are already receiving an old-age pension and wish to receive the increment, you must fill out a separate application form and send it without delays to your local NII branch.
Receiving an increment for a child or a spouse
It is possible for the spouse to receive the increment directly in their bank account.
The spouse must contact the National Insurance Institute in writing and attach authorization from the bank noting the bank's name and address and the number of the account into which the increment is to be transferred.
A common-law couple
Under National Insurance Law, a common-law couple is considered as a married couple. Therefore, anyone living with a spouse under one roof but without being married, should report his/her situation to the National Insurance Institute (to be recognized as a common-law couple). Failing to do so may result in accumulating debts to the National Insurance Institute.