General information on the heavy labour pension

General information

The heavy labour pension was introduced as part of the pension harmonisation process in 2005. It has been available since 1 January 2007. The activities regarded as heavy labour are determined by a decree issued by the Ministry for Social Affairs.

Affected

Upon application, individuals may draw a pension from the age of 60 (men and women) if they have performed heavy labour for a certain period of time prior to the pension effective date.

Requirements

At least 540 insurance months (45 years) must have been completed, with at least 120 months of heavy labour (10 years) having been completed in the 240 calendar months (20 calendar years) prior to the pension effective date.

Discontinuation of benefits under the scheme

The heavy labour pension is cancelled if, while drawing a pension, a gainful activity is carried out that results in compulsory insurance in the statutory pension insurance scheme (due to employment or self-employment). The pension is cancelled for the duration of the compulsory insurance.

Since 1 January 2024, exceeding the monthly marginal earnings threshold (551.10 euro in 2025) no longer automatically leads to the pension benefit being cancelled, provided the excess is only minor (no more than 40 percent of the monthly marginal pension per year, namely 220.44 euro in 2025).

The pension is also cancelled if an agricultural business is operated whose unit value exceeds 2,400 euro.

The discontinued heavy labour pension is revived if the above-mentioned points cease to apply.

Deadlines

The application must be submitted no later than the end of the last month before entering retirement.

Competent authority

The competent pension insurance institution

Procedure

Application to be submitted to pension insurer

Required documents

The pension insurance institution will advise which documents are required.

Costs and fees

There are no charges payable.

Further information

Heavy labour pension (→ AK)^{German text}

Legal basis

Verordnung über besonders belastende Berufstätigkeiten (Schwerarbeitsverordnung)

Link to form

• Pension insurance – heavy labour pension – application^{German text}
• Heavy labour pension – application for review of eligibility^{German text}

Authentication and signature

• electronically: registration using ID Austria (only possible for the Austrian Pension Insurance Fund [PVA]) – Information on the changeover from mobile phone signature and citizen cards to ID Austria^{German text}.
• in writing: informal letter (form to be submitted later)
• in person: in this case, you should take with you the necessary documents, such as your birth certificate, birth certificates for your children, your residence registration form, your marriage certificate, where appropriate, and an identity document.

Means of redress or appeal

The pension insurance institution will make a decision on the pension application in an official notification. A complaint may be lodged with the competent Labour and Social Court within three months of delivery of the official notification.

Assistance and problem-solving services

Ombudsman service for the competent pension insurance institution