FPÖ criticism of PVA: Dispute over the pension of a former truck driver

FPÖ criticism of PVA: Dispute over the pension of a former truck driver

The FPÖ, member of the state parliament, Richard Punz, raises serious allegations against the pension insurance institution (PVA). According to Punz, the pension was wrongly withdrawn from an “honest grandfather”, which is said to have brought it a financial loss of 30,000 euros. The pensioner, a former truck driver, had helped a Dutch freight forwarder to deliver cutting flowers, which led to the display and setting of his pension payments. Punz sees this case as evidence of the shortcomings in the Austrian health, pension and social system.

with closer inspection of the incident, however, there are discrepancies. The state court of St. Pölten confirmed in the matter that the man was acquitted of the accusation of severe fraud. Nevertheless, he was obliged to repay an amount of around 4,500 euros to the PVA, since his income exceeded the minor limit during the time in question. The sum of 30,000 euros mentioned by Punz is not listed in the criminal act.

discrepancies in the information of the FPÖ

The FPÖ and Richard Punz explain that the defendant had no access to his pension from August to December. Afterwards he would have worked again from January to May, but earned 800 euros less than before with the pension. On this basis, you come to a difficult to understand sum of 25,000 to 30,000 euros, which does not withstand any formal review.

The case throws questions regarding the transparency of the PVA and the way such problems are treated in public. While Punz tries to draw a negative picture of the social system in Austria, there is important information that may not be adequately observed in the public discussion. It remains to be seen whether this case will result in further legal or political consequences.