Representatives of Pensioners Against Blue-Black Increase in Insurance Contributions

"We certainly won't put up with this," said the president of the SPÖ-affiliated Pensioners' Association Peter Kostelka on Friday, announcing "bitter resistance". As Finance Minister Gunter Mayr (ÖVP) admitted in "ZiB2", the measure is not yet fixed.

"We have set this as a placeholder, we have also argued this to the commission," said Mayr. To the commissioner, it was "ensured" that adequate measures would be found if changes occur "in individual details" during the government negotiations.

Blue-Black Plans for Increasing Insurance Contributions

According to the budget consolidation plans, 320 million euros are to be saved in the health insurance sector: 270 million euros for adjusting contributions and 50 million for closing insurance gaps. What exactly this means has not yet been specified by FPÖ and ÖVP. It is likely that an increase in the health insurance contributions of pensioners is planned to save the 270 million. The current contribution rate is 5.1 percent of the gross pension, that for employees is significantly higher at 7.65 percent. The employees pay 3.87 percent, 3.78 percent is paid by the employer, which is why the Pensioners' Association argues that pensioners are already paying the highest health insurance contribution. It is not understandable why they "should now be asked to pay even more", said Kostelka.

Seniors Association Demands Socially Compatible Measures

The ÖVP Seniors Association pointed out that the media reports regarding the increase in contributions have not yet been confirmed. "In principle, all population groups will have to contribute to the budget consolidation, including the older generation, but all measures must be in a balanced ratio to each other and be socially compatible," explained Seniors Association President Ingrid Korosec. The contribution of 50 million under the title of health insurance is supposed to come from the inclusion of marginally employed people in the compulsory insurance, according to "Ö1" morning journal.

(APA/Red)

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