Sharp rise this year

Too healthy to retire, but too ill to work

The "Krone" reported on Günther K. Now AK Salzburg wants to help him.

(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

Hundreds of Salzburg residents seek help from the Chamber of Labor every year. The laws surrounding invalidity pensions have been tightened. Since then, many have faced existential fears. 

What happens next? This question is on the mind of worker Günther K.. The man from Salzburg has been partially paralyzed since suffering a stroke. At the end of his sick leave, he fears for his livelihood. The Salzburg Chamber of Labor now wants to help.

Number of AK consultations particularly high this year
The worker's fate is not unique. Many "Krone" readers report very similar experiences. "Such cases are our daily bread. Our consultations are noticeably increasing this year," confirms Ulrike Oberauer, a lawyer in the AK social insurance department. Every year, the Chamber of Labor fights for disability or occupational disability pensions or "rehab" money for around 700 Salzburg residents.

Those affected are often desperate
"The legal basis has changed massively. This makes it more difficult to get a pension," says the lawyer. Those affected are often desperate. They have been ill for a long time and have had to run between the AMS, health insurance fund and pension insurance institution.

Almost every second person gets justice after all
Ulrike Oberauer's advice: go to the AK soon. After all, their success rate is almost 50 percent. Salzburg's AK President Peter Eder demands the following for the future: "Working conditions must be designed in such a way that invalidity or occupational disability pensions do not occur at all."

Disability pension not linked to age
The disability pension is not tied to an age. It is granted if the pension insurance recognizes a permanent disability. This was not the case for Günther K. (48).