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Pension increase 2026: Agreement on capsics splits Austria!
On September 19, 2025, Minister of Social Affairs Schumann announced the increase in pension in Austria, which comes across mixed public reactions.
Pension increase 2026: Agreement on capsics splits Austria!
The upcoming pension increase in Austria ensures a heated debate among the citizens. Minister of Social Affairs Korinna Schumann announced in a press conference that the increase for 2026 will be a maximum of 67.50 euros gross. Around a third of the pensioners receive less than originally planned. The increase only applies to guest houses below 2,500 euros gross. Only a flat rate is granted above this limit. The complete inflation compensation of 2.7 percent, on the other hand, is fully compensated for everyone below 2,500 euros, which corresponds to more than 71 percent of pensioners, i.e. around 1.65 million people. 5min.at Reports of mixed reactions to the planned increase, with some citizens supporting the measure, while other sharp criticism of the cap and communication.
Opinions among the population are also reflected in a survey that shows that many pensioners demand an increase of at least 2.7 percent for all pensioners. Some passers -by also emphasize the need for savings in the civil servants, while others demand greater transparency about the motives for the increase. The discussion is particularly interesting against the background of ongoing salary negotiations for civil servants who are also on the brink.
Criticism from different sides
Pensioners such as Birgit Gerstorfer (SPÖ) and Ingrid Korosec (ÖVP) express sharp criticism of the agreement of the government parties to increase the pension. Gerstorfer emphasizes that an adaptation under the inflation wanted to prevent everyone. This agreement is described as a "partial success", but remains significantly behind the original idea of only increasing the pensions by two percent. The FPÖ also criticizes the adjustment violently; Party leader Herbert Kickl describes her as a "fall" and criticizes the increasing health insurance contributions for pensioners at the same time. orf.at reports on the diverse reactions to the planned increase, whereby the former chairman of the retirement security commission, Walter Pöltner, also classifies the measure as "populist" and "not socially".
Minister of Social Affairs Schumann emphasizes that the negotiations were complex and that stabilizing the budget is essential. ÖVP club chairman August Wöginger defends the limit of 2,500 euros because it lies above the median and average pension. The NEOS social spokesman, Johannes Gasser, describes the planned increase as "careful" and refers to a possible savings effect on the legislative period of 1.4 billion euros.
Public insights into the pension system
The Austrian pension system is regularly analyzed to gain a better understanding of its structures and challenges. The Ministry of Social Affairs offers various reports and studies that deal with the various aspects of old -age insurance and pension data. This work promotes awareness of current developments and challenges, which are important for both politics and the population.
The debate about pension adjustment and the associated questions of social justice and financial security will continue to remain a central topic of political discussion in Austria in the future. The amount of savings, social needs and the requirements of the pensioners should also shape the upcoming negotiations.