Commission makes case for fair disability pension

The National Commission for Persons with a Disability (KNPD) has proposed that disabled people should have fair access to a disability pension.

In its reactions to the White Paper on Pensions Reform, the commission said a number of disabled people have less stamina and internal resources to be able to work for a longer time without affecting their quality of life or endangering their lives. The White Paper is proposing that the pension age should be increased gradually.

The commission recommended that while disability pensions were covered by the guarantee included in the White Paper, this would not be a fixed one but increased according to contributions being paid.

In the case of a person having to partially retire because of his disability, the commission is recommending a pro rata pension to ensure a fair income for an acceptable quality of life.

The commission said that at present a disability pension was granted to people who either had a severe mental abnormality or were seriously disabled. The second category includes a list of medical conditions and if a person's condition was not serious but was included in the list he was eligible for the pension but if it did not he would not be eligible.

The commission said the system should change and a pension would be granted according to the gravity of the situation.

The KNPD also recommended the introduction of a pension or allowance to make good for extra expenses incurred by people because of their disability.

With regard to the raising of the pension age to 65, the commission expressed concern saying this would make it more difficult for a disabled person to find a job and keep it.