Austria’s Pensioner Association Highlights Key Social Policy Priorities at Conference
Austria’s Pensioner Association (PVÖ) convened a social conference attended by over 130 social experts and prominent guests,including Federal Minister of Labor,Social Affairs,Health,Care and Consumer Protection,Korinna Schumann,State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig,Dr.in Elisabeth Rappold of Health and Long-Term Health Austria gmbh (GöG), and PVÖ-Vorarlberg state president Manfred Lackner. Teh event, led by Mag.a Sonja Kato, coincided with the 70th anniversary of the general Social Insurance Act (ASVG) – a landmark achievement in Austria’s social policy.
PVÖ President Birgit Gerstorfer,MBA,outlined the association’s core priorities in her opening remarks,emphasizing the need to “secure pensions,fight poverty,defend health as a public good and reform care.”
A central focus of the conference was the upcoming 2026 pension adjustment. Gerstorfer stated the PVÖ is advocating for a full 2.7 percent adjustment to fully compensate for inflation, arguing it is a matter of both respect for the older generation and maintaining their purchasing power. The association also called for a gradual increase in the compensation allowance to reach the poverty limit, aiming to ensure no Austrian – child, adult, or pensioner – lives in poverty.
Regarding healthcare, Gerstorfer stressed the importance of maintaining worldwide access to free and readily available services. She warned against privatization and the progress of a two-tiered healthcare system, asserting that “health must not be a luxury,” especially given the significant financial contributions made by pensioners through health insurance premiums.
The conference also highlighted the urgent need for complete care reform. Gerstorfer emphasized that care should not be solely a private matter, and called for reforms that secure services, relieve the burden on families, and improve the working conditions and wages for care professionals. “Nurses not only deserve thanks, but also fair wages and better working conditions!” she stated.
Concluding her remarks, gerstorfer underscored the importance of continually adapting the ASVG to meet future challenges, with the goal of ensuring a robust social system that protects all Austrians for generations to come.