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<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2008</h1>
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<h1>Austria</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: US$1.00 equals 0.68&nbsp;euros&nbsp;(&euro;).</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First laws:</span> 1906 (pensions), implemented in 1909; and 1938 (insurance), implemented in 1939.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1955 (social insurance), implemented in 1956, with 2006 amendment; 1978 (self-employed), implemented in 1979, with 2005 amendment; 1978 (farmers), with 2006 amendment; 1978 (professional persons), with 2005 amendment; and 2004 (pension harmonization), implemented in 2005.</p>
<p>Note: The 1955 act applies to insured persons aged&nbsp;50 or older on January&nbsp;1, 2005. The 2004 law applies to insured persons younger than age&nbsp;50 on January&nbsp;1, 2005. Under the 2004 law, all special systems now provide similar benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Wage earners and salaried employees (separate systems with essentially identical provisions) earning &euro;349.01 or more a month and apprentices.</p>
<p>Special systems for miners; notaries; public-sector employees; and self-employed persons, including those in trade and agriculture.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 10.25% of covered earnings.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Contributions vary between 15.75% and 20.00% of covered earnings, according to profession; farmers contribute 15.00% of earnings.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;4,585.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 12.55% of covered payroll.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> A subsidy and the cost of the care benefit and income-tested allowance.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension:</span> Age&nbsp;65 (men) or age&nbsp;60 (women) with at least 180&nbsp;months of coverage in the last 30&nbsp;years, a total of at least 300&nbsp;months of coverage, or 180&nbsp;months of contributions.</p>
<p>Early pension: Age&nbsp;62 (men) or age&nbsp;57.5 (women). The early pensionable age is gradually increasing by 1&nbsp;month per quarter to reach age&nbsp;65 (men) or age&nbsp;60 (women) by 2017. The insured must have between 420&nbsp;months and 450&nbsp;months of coverage and monthly earnings no greater than &euro;349.01.</p>
<p>Early pension for workers in physically demanding jobs (from January&nbsp;1, 2007): Age&nbsp;60 with at least 540&nbsp;months of coverage, of which 120&nbsp;months are based on employment in physically demanding jobs in the last 240&nbsp;months and with monthly earnings no greater than &euro;349.01. (The early pension for women in physically demanding jobs becomes effective in 2024. Until then, women can claim the statutory old-age pension at age&nbsp;60.)</p>
<p>Early pension for the long-term insured: Age&nbsp;60 (men born before December&nbsp;31, 1950) with at least 45&nbsp;years of contributions or age&nbsp;55 (women born before December&nbsp;31, 1955) with at least 40&nbsp;years of contributions. Age limits increase for men and women born after these dates.</p>
<p>Corridor pension: Age&nbsp;62 (men and women) with 450&nbsp;months of coverage and with monthly earnings no greater than &euro;349.01, subject to conditions. (The corridor pension for women becomes effective in 2028. Until then, women can claim the statutory old-age pension at age&nbsp;60.)</p>
<p>Deferred pension: A deferred pension is possible.</p>
<p>Benefits are payable abroad (a reciprocal agreement may be required if the benefit is paid abroad for a period longer than 2&nbsp;months).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension:</span> Paid for an assessed loss of more than 50% of earning capacity. The insured must have at least 60&nbsp;months of contributions (plus 1&nbsp;month for each month from age&nbsp;50) in the last 10&nbsp;years (plus 2&nbsp;months for each month from age&nbsp;50), 300&nbsp;months of coverage, or a total of 180&nbsp;months of contributions. The qualifying conditions are relaxed for persons aged&nbsp;57 or older.</p>
<p>Reduced pension: A reduced pension is paid if monthly earnings are greater than &euro;990.18.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> The deceased met the coverage or contribution requirements for a disability pension or was a pensioner at the time of death.</p>
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension:</span> The pension is calculated as 1.80% of the assessment base (1.78% in 2009) for each year of coverage.</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to adjusted average earnings in the best 20&nbsp;years, up to an annual maximum of &euro;3,317.91. (The assessment period is increasing gradually by 12&nbsp;months a year until it reaches 40&nbsp;years in 2028.)</p>
<p>For insured persons born after January&nbsp;1, 1955, with coverage only after January&nbsp;1, 2005, the pension is calculated as 1.78% of the sum of contributions for each calendar year plus the sum of the adjusted annual contributions of all years of contributions divided by 14.</p>
<p>For insured persons born after January&nbsp;1, 1955, with periods of coverage before and after January&nbsp;1, 2005, the pension is based on the insured's total coverage period before and after the 2004 law.</p>
<p>Early pension: The benefit is reduced by 4.2% for each year it is received before age&nbsp;65 (men) or age&nbsp;60 (women), up to a maximum reduction of 15%. Special conditions apply for the long-term insured and for workers in physically demanding jobs.</p>
<p>Child's supplement: &euro;29.07 is paid for each child younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;27 if a student or in training, no limit if disabled).</p>
<p>Income-tested allowance: An amount is paid to raise the pension for an individual to &euro;747.00 a month; to &euro;1,120.00 for a married couple, plus &euro;78.29 for each child for whom a child's supplement is paid.</p>
<p>Schedule of payments: Fourteen payments a year.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually (beginning with the second calendar year after the year in which the pension is awarded).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Care benefit:</span> Pensioners who need personal care may be entitled to a monthly benefit varying from &euro;148.30 to &euro;1,562.10, depending on the amount of care required. The benefit is paid 12&nbsp;times a year.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension:</span> The pension is calculated as 1.80% of the assessment base (1.78% in 2009) for each year of coverage.</p>
<p>If the insured is younger than age&nbsp;60, the coverage period is projected to age&nbsp;60 for benefit calculation purposes.</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to adjusted average earnings in the best 20&nbsp;years, up to an annual maximum of &euro;3,317.91. (The assessment period is increasing gradually by 12&nbsp;months a year until it reaches 40&nbsp;years in 2028.)</p>
<p>The maximum pension is equal to 60% of the assessment base.</p>
<p>Reduced pension: The full pension is reduced if monthly earnings exceed &euro;990.18. The maximum reduction is equal to 50% of the full pension.</p>
<p>Child's supplement: &euro;29.07 is paid for each child younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;27 if a student or in training, no limit if disabled).</p>
<p>Income-tested allowance: An amount is paid to raise the pension for an individual to &euro;747.00 a month; to &euro;1,120.00 for a married couple, plus &euro;78.29 for each child for whom a child's supplement is paid.</p>
<p>Schedule of payments: Fourteen payments a year.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually (beginning with the second calendar year after the year in which the pension is awarded).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Care benefit:</span> Pensioners who need personal care may be entitled to a monthly benefit varying from &euro;148.30 to &euro;1,562.10, depending on the amount of care required. The benefit is paid 12&nbsp;times a year.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> A <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> receives up to 60% of the deceased's pension.</p>
<p>Income-tested allowance: An allowance is paid to raise the survivor pension to &euro;747.00 a month.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> Each orphan younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;27 if a student or in training, no limit if disabled) receives 40% of the survivor pension; 60% for a full orphan.</p>
<p>Income-tested allowance: An allowance is paid to raise the orphan's pension to &euro;274.76 a month (&euro;412.54 for a full orphan); after age&nbsp;24, the allowance raises the orphan's pension to &euro;488.24 a month (&euro;747.00 for a full orphan).</p>
<p>Schedule of payments: Fourteen payments a year.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually (beginning with the second calendar year after the year in which the survivor pension was awarded).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Care benefit:</span> Pensioners who need personal care may be entitled to a monthly benefit varying from &euro;148.30 to &euro;1,562.10, depending on the amount of care required. The benefit is paid 12&nbsp;times a year.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Federal Ministry for Social Affairs and Consumer Protection (<a href="https://www.sozialministerium.at/">http://www.bmsk.gv.at</a>), the Federal Ministry for Health, Family, and Youth (<a href="https://www.sozialministerium.at/">http://www.bmgfj.gv.at</a>), and the Federal Ministry of Finance (<a href="https://www.bmf.gv.at">http://www.bmf.gv.at</a>) provide general supervision.</p>
<p>Comprising self-governing pension insurance institutions composed of elected representatives of insured persons and employers, the Federation of Austrian Social Insurance Institutions (<a href="https://www.sozialversicherung.at">http://www.sozialversicherung.at</a>) coordinates the program.</p>
<p>Pension Insurance Institution (<a href="https://www.pv.at">http://www.pensionsversicherung.at</a>) administers 85% of all pensions. Separate institutions operate for railroad employees, mining employees, and self-employed persons.</p>
<p>Sickness funds collect contributions and transfer them to pension insurance institutions and maintain contribution records for individual workers. The pension insurance institutions of self-employed persons collect contributions directly from insured self-employed persons.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1888 (sickness insurance), implemented in 1889.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1955 (social insurance), implemented in 1956, with 2005 amendment; 1974 (employees), with 2000 amendment; 1978 (self-employed), implemented in 1979, with 2005 amendment; 1978 (farmers), with 2006 amendment; and 1978 (professional persons), with 2005 amendment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed persons earning &euro;349.01 or more a month, apprentices, and pensioners.</p>
<p>Special systems for public-sector and railway employees and self-employed persons in agriculture and trade.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 3.95% of covered wages (wage earners), 3.82% of covered salary (salaried employees), or 5.10% of the pension (pensioners).</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> 7.65% of covered earnings.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;4,585.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 3.70% of covered payroll (wage earners) or 3.83% of covered payroll (salaried employees).</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> 70% of cash maternity benefits.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness and maternity benefits:</span> The insured must be currently in covered employment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> The insured must be currently in covered employment.</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit:</span> The employer pays 100% of the insured's earnings for up to 12&nbsp;weeks (plus an additional 4&nbsp;weeks at 50%), depending on the insured's length of service period.</p>
<p>After the right to full benefits from the employer ceases, sickness funds pay 50% (60% after 6&nbsp;weeks) of covered earnings (25% to those receiving 50% of earnings from the employer), plus family supplements (depending on the regulation of the sickness fund) for 26 to 52&nbsp;weeks, depending on the length of the coverage period.</p>
<p>The maximum benefit is equal to 75% of covered earnings, depending on the number of dependents.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity benefit:</span> The benefit is equal to 100% of the insured's average earnings and is paid for 8&nbsp;weeks before and 8&nbsp;weeks (12 to 16&nbsp;weeks in special cases) after the expected date of childbirth.</p>
<p>Average earnings are based on the insured's earnings in the last 13&nbsp;weeks or 3&nbsp;months of employment.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Service benefits are ordinarily provided by doctors, hospitals, and pharmacists under contract with and paid directly by sickness funds; some funds operate their own clinics or hospitals. Benefits include medical (including psychotherapy), maternity, and dental care; hospitalization; medicines; appliances; home care; preventive examinations; and transportation.</p>
<p>Cost sharing: Patients pay &euro;4.80 per prescription, part of the cost for dental care, and up to 20% of the cost of appliances. A contribution of at least &euro;26.20 is made by the insured toward the cost of appliances; waived for patients with limited means.</p>
<p>There is no limit to duration.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Service benefits are ordinarily provided by doctors, hospitals, and pharmacists under contract with and paid directly by sickness funds; some funds operate their own clinics or hospitals. Benefits include medical (including psychotherapy), maternity, and dental care; hospitalization; medicines; appliances; home care; preventive examinations; and transportation.</p>
<p>Cost sharing: Patients pay &euro;4.80 per prescription, part of the cost for dental care, up to 20% of the cost of appliances, and 10% of the cost during the first 4&nbsp;weeks of hospitalization. A contribution of at least &euro;26.20 is made by the insured toward the cost of appliances; waived for patients with limited means.</p>
<p>The wife of an insured man receives the same maternity care as an insured woman.</p>
<p>There is no limit to duration.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Federal Ministry for Health, Family, and Youth (<a href="https://www.sozialministerium.at/">http://www.bmgfj.gv.at</a>) provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Nine district and seven occupational sickness funds administer contributions and benefits. Sickness funds are managed by elected representatives of insured persons and employers.</p>
<p>Separate institutions operate for railroad, mining, and public-sector employees and self-employed persons.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1887 (accident insurance), implemented in 1889.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1955 (social insurance), implemented in 1956, with 2005 amendment; 1978 (self-employed), implemented in 1979, with 2005 amendment; 1978 (farmers), with 2006 amendment; and 1978 (professional persons), with 2005 amendment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed and self-employed persons, apprentices, and students.</p>
<p>Special system for public-sector employees.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Between 1.4% and 1.9% of covered income or a flat-rate contribution of &euro;7.65 a month, according to profession.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly income for contribution purposes are &euro;4,585.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 1.4% of covered payroll.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> Federal government contributes to farmers' accident insurance.</p>
<p>Family Allowances Equalization Fund reimburses the General Accident Insurance Fund for students' accident insurance.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Work injury benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>The benefit is the same as the cash sickness benefit (see Sickness and Maternity, above) and is paid until the insured is assessed as permanently disabled.</p>
<p>The employer pays 100% of the insured's earnings for up to 12&nbsp;weeks (plus an additional 4&nbsp;weeks at 50%), depending on the insured's length of service period.</p>
<p>After the right to full benefits from the employer ceases, sickness funds pay 50% (60% after 6&nbsp;weeks) of covered earnings (25% to those receiving 50% of earnings from the employer), plus eventual family supplements (depending on the regulation of the sickness fund) for 26 to 52&nbsp;weeks, depending on the length of the coverage period.</p>
<p>The maximum benefit is equal to 75% of the insured's covered earnings, depending on the number of dependents.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability pension:</span> The full pension (66.6% of the assessment base) is paid for a 100% reduction in earning capacity.</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to the insured's average covered earnings in the last year before the disability began.</p>
<p>Partial pension: A proportionately reduced pension is paid with at least a 20% reduction in earning capacity; at least a 50% reduction in earning capacity for a severe disability pension.</p>
<p>Supplementary pension: 20% of the severe disability pension is paid for a reduction in earning capacity from 50% to 70%; 50% if the reduction in earning capacity is greater.</p>
<p>Child's supplement: If the insured has at least a 50% reduction in earning capacity, 10% of the disability pension is paid for each child younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;27 if a student or in training, no limit if disabled).</p>
<p>The maximum supplement is &euro;76.31 for each child.</p>
<p>The combined total disability pension, supplementary pension, and supplements for children must not exceed 100% of the assessment base.</p>
<p>Schedule of payments: Fourteen payments a year.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to the rules of the accident insurance institution.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Care benefit:</span> Pensioners who need personal care may be entitled to a monthly benefit varying from &euro;148.30 to &euro;1,562.10, depending on the amount of care required. The benefit is paid 12&nbsp;times a year.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Comprehensive care, including rehabilitation (the first 4&nbsp;weeks are provided under Sickness and Maternity, above) and allowances for training and relocation.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> A widow aged&nbsp;60 or older or a widower aged&nbsp;65 or older receives 40% of the assessment base. Other <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span>s receive 20% of the assessment base.</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to the deceased's average earnings in the last year before death.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> Each orphan younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;27 if a student or in training, no limit if disabled) receives 20% of the assessment base (30% for a full orphan).</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to the deceased's average earnings in the last year before death.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Other dependent's pension:</span> A maximum of 20% of the assessment base is paid for all other dependents, including parents, grandparents, and for brothers and sisters younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;27 if a student or in training, no limit if disabled).</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to the deceased's average earnings in the last year before death.</p>
<p>All survivor benefits combined must not exceed 80% of the assessment base.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor allowance:</span> A flat-rate payment equal to 40% of the assessment base is paid to a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> who is not eligible to receive the survivor pension.</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to the deceased's average earnings in the last year before death.</p>
<p>Schedule of payments: Fourteen payments a year.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually according to the rules of the accident insurance institution.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> Partial reimbursement of funeral and transportation costs, up to a maximum of 1/15 of the assessment base.</p>
<p>The assessment base is equal to the deceased's average earnings in the last year before death.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Federal Ministry for Health, Family, and Youth (<a href="https://www.sozialministerium.at/">http://www.bmgfj.gv.at</a>) provides general supervision.</p>
<p>General Accident Insurance Institution (<a href="https://www.auva.at">http://www.auva.at</a>) administers long-term benefits (a separate institution operates for railway employees, public-sector employees, and the agricultural self-employed).</p>
<p>Sickness funds collect contributions and transfer them to accident insurance institutions.</p>
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1920 (unemployment insurance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1977 (unemployment insurance), with 2006 amendment; and 1994 (labor market), with 2005 amendment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed persons earning &euro;349.01 or more a month and apprentices.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Public-sector employees and self-employed persons.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 3% of covered earnings.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 3% of covered payroll.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings for contribution purposes are &euro;3,930.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> Any deficit.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefit:</span> The insured must have at least 28&nbsp;weeks of contributions in the last 12&nbsp;months; 52&nbsp;weeks in the last 24&nbsp;months for a first claim to a benefit. The insured must be registered at an employment office and be capable of and willing to work.</p>
<p>For a first-time claim made before age&nbsp;25, the insured must have at least 26&nbsp;weeks of contributions in the last 12&nbsp;months, subject to conditions.</p>
<p>Unemployment is not due to voluntary leaving without good reason, misconduct, work stoppage, or the refusal of a suitable job offer, in which case disqualification usually lasts 4&nbsp;weeks.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Emergency assistance (income-tested):</span> The insured must be unemployed, capable of and willing to work, and assessed as requiring emergency assistance.</p>
<h3>Unemployment Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefit:</span> The benefit is equal to 55% of net earnings and is paid for up to 20&nbsp;weeks; may be extended to 30&nbsp;weeks (with 156&nbsp;weeks of coverage in the last 5&nbsp;years); 39&nbsp;weeks (if aged&nbsp;40 or older with 312&nbsp;weeks of coverage in the last 10&nbsp;years); or 52&nbsp;weeks (if aged&nbsp;50 or older with 468&nbsp;weeks of coverage in the last 15&nbsp;years). The duration of payment is extended by periods of participation in training provided by the Labor Market Service.</p>
<p>Family supplement: &euro;0.97 a day is paid for each dependent. The total benefit including the family supplement must not be more than 80% of net earnings.</p>
<p>Supplementary benefit: For a single person with low income, the unemployment benefit is raised to &euro;747.00 but must not be more than 60% of net earnings.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Emergency assistance (income-tested):</span> The assistance varies according to the number of dependents and the income of the unemployed person and his or her spouse or cohabiting partner. Assistance equal to between 92% and 95% of the unemployment benefit is paid to unemployed citizens without a time limit when the right to receive social insurance unemployment benefits ceases; 95% of the unemployment benefit is paid if the unemployment benefit is less than &euro;747.00; between 92% and 95% if the unemployment benefit is greater than &euro;747.00.</p>
<p>In addition, family supplements are paid for each dependent.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor (http://www.bmwa.gv.at) provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Regional offices of the Labor Market Service (<a href="https://www.ams.at/">http://www.ams.at</a>) administer benefits and offer job seeking services.</p>
<p>Sickness funds collect contributions from employers.</p>
<h2>Family Allowances</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1948.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1967, with 2006 amendment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Universal system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Persons residing permanently in Austria with one or more children. (Noncitizens are eligible if employed for more than 3&nbsp;months or residing permanently in Austria for at least 5&nbsp;consecutive years.)</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> None. (A portion of the land tax is allocated to finance family allowances for the agricultural self-employed.)</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 4.5% of payroll.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> States contribute &euro;1.74 a year for each inhabitant. A portion of federal tax receipts is transferred to the Family Allowances Equalization Fund.</p>
<p>Federal government, states, and municipalities with more than 2,000 inhabitants pay family allowances out of their own budget but do not pay employer contributions.</p>
<p>Child care allowances are financed entirely from the funds of the Family Allowances Equalization Fund.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Family allowances:</span> The child must be younger than age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;26 if a student, in training or vocational training, or severely disabled).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Child care allowance:</span> Paid to parents with annual earnings below &euro;14,600 and with children born after January&nbsp; 1, 2002, who are eligible for family allowances.</p>
<h3>Family Allowance Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Family allowances:</span> &euro;105.40 a month is paid for the first child younger than age&nbsp;3, &euro;112.70 for the first child between ages&nbsp;3 and 9, &euro;130.90 for the first child between ages&nbsp;10 and 18, and &euro;152.70 for the first child from age&nbsp;19.</p>
<p>The benefit for the first child is increased by &euro;12.80 a month for the second child and by &euro;25.50 a month for the third and each subsequent child.</p>
<p>Severely disabled child supplement: A supplement of &euro;138.30 a month is paid for a severely disabled child.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Child care allowance:</span> &euro;14.53 a day is paid for a child up to age 30&nbsp;months; up to age 36&nbsp;months in certain cases.</p>
<p>Supplement (income-tested): The daily amount is increased by &euro;6.06 for single parents with annual earnings up to &euro;5,200; for a mother or father whose spouse or partner has income up to &euro;7,200, subject to conditions. If the income of the spouse or partner exceeds &euro;7,200, the difference is deducted from the supplement. The supplement must be repaid before the child reaches age&nbsp;15.</p>
<p>Large family supplement: If eligible for family allowances and if the taxable family income does not exceed a defined income limit, a supplement of &euro;36.40 a month is paid for the third and each subsequent child.</p>
<p>Multiple birth supplement: A supplement of &euro;7.07 a day is paid for the second and each subsequent newborn child in the event of multiple births.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Family Allowances Equalization Fund of the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumer Protection (<a href="https://www.sozialministerium.at/">http://www.bmsk.gv.at</a>) administers the program.</p>
<p>Tax administration pays allowances directly to recipients.</p>
<p>Federal government, states, and municipalities with more than 2,000 inhabitants pay family allowances out of their own budget.</p>
<p>Separate organization for public-sector employees.</p>
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