Effective Dates: 10/13/2022 - Present Previous | Next

TN 12 (10-22)

GN 01729.015 Benefits, Coverage, and Contributions under the Austrian System

A. Overview of the Austrian social security system

The Austrian social security system provides a wide range of benefits including

  • •

    survivors, and

  • •

    old-age retirement,

  • •

    disability benefits.

To qualify for Austrian benefits, a worker must meet minimum coverage or recency-of-work requirements that vary depending on the type of benefit.

Austria computes benefit amounts based on the length of time the worker contributed to the Austrian system and the level of the worker's earnings.

B. Types of coverage

1. Compulsory contributions

In general, Austrian social security covers all persons who work in Austria. However, not all workers contribute to every program. For example, students who work contribute only to the Worker's Compensation program and people who receive a social insurance pension contribute only to health insurance.

Covered employees, their employers, and covered self-employed persons are subject to compulsory contributions that are based on a percentage of their earnings.

2. Voluntary contributions

Austria permits people who are not subject to compulsory contributions and who meet certain qualifying conditions to make voluntary contributions to build future benefit rights (e.g., self-employed persons).

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201729015
GN 01729.015 - Benefits, Coverage, and Contributions under the Austrian System - 10/13/2022
Batch run: 10/13/2022
Rev:10/13/2022