Slovakia spends nearly two billion euros annually on sick leave and disability benefits. While short-term sick pay bridges income loss due to health issues, disability pensions compensate for long-term income disruption. However, the Ministry of Finance’s Value for Money Unit (ÚHP) believes both programs could be more effectively targeted.
A recent analysis by the ÚHP reveals that sick leave is sometimes used to cover periods of unemployment unrelated to health concerns. For example, employees nearing the end of their employment contracts are 2.5 times more likely to take sick leave than those in stable positions. Sick leave claims in the construction and agricultural sectors rise significantly during the winter months, when work is typically scarce.
„Odporúčame preto ďalej pokračovať v kontrolách cielených na rizikové skupiny, čo už dnes Sociálna poisťovňa robí a tento prístup prináša výsledky,“ the ÚHP stated on social media.
The analysis too found a common overlap in benefit receipt. Individuals can simultaneously receive sick pay for the same medical condition and a full disability pension. It’s not uncommon for individuals to combine sick leave with unemployment benefits, potentially extending income replacement for up to 18 months. „While income loss should be compensated, these concurrent benefits could be limited,“ the ÚHP added.
Currently, the system for assessing disability primarily evaluates the medical diagnosis without considering how it impacts an individual’s specific job. A construction worker and a remote software developer with the same diagnosis, such as paralysis of the legs, could receive the same level of income replacement, despite vastly different limitations in their respective roles.
Mali by sa podľa vás sprísniť pravidlá pre PN a invaliditu?
„Tak sa môže stať, že človek dlhodobo poberá plný invalidný dôchodok, aj keď v dôsledku zdravotného obmedzenia nemusel zmeniť prácu, neklesol mu príjem a zarába nadštandardne. Vo výsledku tak mnohí poberatelia invalidného dôchodku majú vyšší príjem než pred invaliditou. Možností na nápravu je viacero, od zmeny posudzovania invalidity po zavedenie progresívneho krátenia invalidného dôchodku pri vysokých príjmoch,“ analysts at the ÚHP explained.
The ÚHP raised these issues in a recent discussion paper outlining 10 measures to maintain social standards at a lower cost. Implementing these measures could generate annual savings of 140 to 217 million euros, potentially reducing the deficit of Social Insurance or allowing for more targeted support for those most in need.
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