Nursing Home Residents Should Give Up 13th and 14th Pension: Uproar Over Proposal

A push by the state social representatives to expand care financing is facing criticism from senior representatives. Specifically, the states are demanding an examination of the possible inclusion of the 13th and 14th pension payments of those in need of care. This proposal is "simply degrading" for people in need of care, criticized the SPÖ-affiliated Pensioners' Association in a statement on Sunday. A rejection also came from the ÖVP Senior Citizens' Association.

Criticism of Proposal for Higher Contribution from Those in Need of Care

"Instead of taking even more money and dignity from people in need of care, a comprehensive care reform should be tackled," explained the interim president of the Pensioners' Association, Helmut Bieler. Currently, people living in nursing homes have to give up 80 percent of their pension for accommodation, and they are allowed to keep the remaining 20 percent as well as the 13th and 14th pension payments as "pocket money." "If the 13th and 14th pension payments are also taken away from people in need of care, they lose their entire financial leeway," criticized Bieler. "This proposal is unimaginable for us. Even people in nursing homes have personal wishes, taking away their financial freedom is undignified," said Senior Citizens' Association chief Ingrid Korosec in the "Krone" (Sunday).

The state social representatives had unanimously requested the federal government at a conference in Langenlois, Lower Austria, last Friday to ensure the long-term security and increase of the care fund beyond 2028 and to initiate "a value-neutral discussion" on supplementary financing instruments. "As part of this discussion, the inclusion of the 13th and 14th pension payments as a possible contribution to the financing of long-term care should also be examined," the proposal states.

Hacker Cannot Imagine Inclusion

It was merely a "suggestion for discussion" about additional questions regarding the cost contribution in long-term care and definitely not a resolution, emphasized Vienna's City Councilor for Social Affairs, Peter Hacker (SPÖ), on Sunday in a statement. "I believe one should never close oneself off to a discussion in advance, as respect for democratic processes demands," he justified his approval of the proposal coming from Upper Austria. This was done unanimously and without in-depth discussion because it primarily concerned the long-term security of the care fund. As for the matter itself, he could "not imagine" including the 13th and 14th pension payments to finance long-term care, Hacker stated.

Support for the initiative, however, came from the Association of Municipalities. The issue is "too serious to let it be shattered by particular interests," appealed Association of Municipalities Chief Johannes Pressl (ÖVP), urging not to "simply dismiss" proposals like those of the social affairs representatives. Homes would provide a good basic supply of care and hygiene products, so not much more would need to be contributed privately, Pressl said. Using 80 percent of the 13th and 14th pension payments is therefore an option that should be open for discussion, especially since the care recourse was rightly abolished to relieve relatives.

Schumann Criticism of State Initiative on Care Financing

Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) criticizes the initiative of the state social affairs representatives to expand care financing. "I do not consider it the right approach to further reduce the remaining money for people who are cared for in nursing homes and whose pension is already withheld by 80 percent, by additionally withholding the 13th and 14th pension payments," Schumann said.

Schumann pointed out in the Ö1 "Midday Journal" that in the last financial equalization, the funding of the care fund was more than doubled to 1.1 billion euros per year. The long-term goal must be to secure this fund.

(APA/Red)

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