10.29.1.30 Social Security System in the Slovak Republic

Slovak Republic's social security system

The Slovak social security system is a contribution based social insurance system covering old age, invalidity and survivors benefits. These payments are not income tested. Slovak pensions can be claimed and exported anywhere in the world without limitation.

The Slovak pension scheme went through some major reforms in January 2005. From then, Slovak old-age pension can be claimed at age 62 (men and women) by people with at least 10 years of coverage (the retirement age for certain women is gradually rising to age 62 by 2015).

Reduced pensions can be claimed within 2 years of reaching the usual retirement age, or conversely, old-age pension can be deferred indefinitely.

Invalidity pension is payable for total disability (70% loss of earning capacity) or partial disability (40% loss of earning capacity). The required periods of insurance for disability pension are:

• under 21 years of age - from one day to 12 months,
• aged between 21 and 24 years - 1 year,
• aged between 25 and 28 years - 2 years,
• aged between 29 and 34 years - 5 years,
• aged between 35 and 40 years - 8 years,
• aged between 41 and 45 years - 10 years,
• for persons older than 45 years - 15 years.

Survivor's pension is payable for one year to the surviving widow or widower where the person was married to the deceased and the deceased was qualified for an old age or invalidity pension at the time of death. Survivor's pensions can be payable for longer periods to survivors aged at least 52 who have raised 2 children or at any age where the survivor is disabled or caring for dependent children. The monthly pension is 60% of the pension the deceased received or would have been entitled to receive. The pension ceases on remarriage.

An orphan's pension is payable to a dependent child on the death of their parent if that parent was entitled to a pension at the time of their death. The orphan's pension is 40% of the pension that would otherwise have been payable to their parent. An orphan's pension ceases if the child is adopted or placed in foster care. A dependent child is one who studies or cannot study due to disability or health conditions, up to the age of 26.