Partial board from 2026: So older workers benefit now!

Partial board from 2026: So older workers benefit now!

With the new partial board law, a significant reform in the Austrian pension system will be effective from January 1, 2026. This change in the law aims to offer older workers a more flexible transition solution into retirement. This primarily affects employees who are no longer able to keep a full -time position.

From 2026, employees who are already entitled to a type of pension such as age pension, corridor pension or heavy work pension can obtain a partial board. This makes it possible to reduce working hours by at least 25 % and at the same time maintain part of the pension without completely leaving professional life. As reported [VOL.AT] (https://www.vol.at/teilpension-krap-2026-das-Musst-Du- Knowledge/9512153), the income is formed from a proportionate salary and partial board. This new regulation closes a gap in the existing pension system and thus not only supports the employees, but also the companies by remaining in -house.

Details on partial board

The partial board itself is a flexible model that offers different variants. Depending on the reduction of working hours, the following claims can be asserted, which can also include discounts:

• 25 % working time reduction: 25 % of the pension
• 41-60 % working time reduction: 50 % of the pension
• from 61 % working time reduction: 75 % of the pension

An example illustrates this: A 63-year-old machine operator can reduce his working hours to 50 % and receives a partial board of around 1,347 euros gross. In this case, the amount of the pension claims is around 3,000 euros. The calculation is based on the pension account, with discounts for early retirement of 5.1 % per year. ÖGB emphasizes that despite the partial retirement, the remaining entitlement to the pension is maintained and only when the pension comes to the payment.

Another important aspect is that the partial board is voluntary. Employees can find out more about the possibility of reducing working hours with their employer and submit the application to the pension insurance institution (PVA). The claim for further pension benefits remains, which is a decisive relief for many employees.

political background

The introduction of the sub -pension goes back to a novella that the Austrian government presented to the National Council. According to parlament.gv.at, several legal framework were adapted, including the General Social Insurance Act (ASVG) and the Pension Act. The aim of these changes is to anchor the sustainability mechanism in the pension system and to reform the partial retirement.

The financial expectations associated with the partial board show a savings potential of 197.9 million euros for 2026 and higher savings in the following years. Such measures could significantly relieve the entire pension system. Employees who go into partial retirement remain statistically listed, which could stabilize the labor market as a whole.

The legally anchored partial board is therefore a significant step in the pension reform and offers older workers a concrete way to make the transfer to retirement more flexible and safer.