More resources for the nursing care fund and federal-state agreement on 24-hour care
Vienna (OTS) – “We want to provide incentives for working more and longer. In the future, it should be worth it if you retire later or continue to work alongside your pension. This is an important step for employees and employers, especially in times of labor shortages,” emphasizes Today, Thursday, ÖVP club chairman and social spokesman August Wöginger introduced a measure in the Social Committee.
“For those who continue to work after reaching the standard retirement age, the employee’s pension insurance contributions will no longer apply in the future. That is 10.25 percent up to an income of twice the marginal income limit. For 2024, this corresponds to 1,036.88 euros per month and therefore around annually 1,200 euros saved in pension insurance contributions. However, if you do not take advantage of the pension at the statutory starting age but continue to work without drawing it, you are currently entitled to a bonus of 4.2 percent per year. This bonus will be increased to 5.1 percent. For “A pension of 2,200 euros means a higher lifetime pension income of a good 20,000 euros if you work three years longer. Anyone who voluntarily stays in the labor market beyond the statutory retirement age must be fairly compensated. We owe that to the people,” said Wöginger continues.
There are also tax improvements for overtime: “It is clear to us that anyone who goes to work must not be stupid. Many employees currently have to work overtime because there is simply a lack of skilled workers – for example in security or nursing. As of January 1st, 18 hours of overtime worth 200 euros will be tax-free. In addition, the allowances for all employees for so-called dirt, difficulty and danger allowances (SEG) will be increased from 360 to 400 euros. A clear success for all motivated people in our country.”
Part-time employees also benefit from new regulations. “If the company advertises a full-time position, part-time employees will in future have an enforceable legal right to timely information. If the company does not comply with this requirement, damages of 100 euros per month can be claimed.”
The club chairman also referred to the financial equalization between the federal, state and local governments. It was also agreed on a higher endowment for the care fund and an update of the agreement on 24-hour care. Specifically, the government has agreed with the states to increase the care fund from the current 455.6 million to 1.1 billion euros in 2024 and to secure it from 2025.
The federal-state agreement on 24-hour care provides for the existing cost key – 60 percent of the funding is borne by the federal government and 40 percent by the states – to be continued for the financial equalization period from 2024 to 2028. In addition, the funding amounts will be adjusted to the current guidelines of the Ministry of Social Affairs, which are currently 800 euros in the case of care by independent 24-hour carers and 1,600 euros if the carers are employed. It is also taken into account that support services for 24-hour care are now granted regardless of the assets of the person in need of care.
“Austria is a social welfare state and, even after the crisis, a country in which help is given to those who need it,” concluded the club chairman. (Ending)
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