Serbia

Old Age, Disability, and Survivors

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1922, implemented in 1937.

Current laws: 2003 (pension and disability insurance) and 2004 (social insurance contributions).

Type of program: Social insurance system.

Coverage

Employed persons, self-employed persons including farmers, and contract workers.

Source of Funds

Insured person: 13% of covered earnings.

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average gross wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Self-employed person: 24% of covered income.

The minimum monthly income used to calculate contributions is 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly income used to calculate contributions is five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average gross wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Employer: 11% of covered payroll (Since 2006, the contribution rate is reduced or eliminated for up to 3 years depending on the age of the worker).

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average gross wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Government: Guarantees cash benefits; covers any deficit; contributes as an employer.

Qualifying Conditions

Old-age pension: Age 65 (men) or age 60 (women) with at least 15 years of coverage.

Early retirement: Age 54 and four months (gradually rising to age 58 by 2023) with at least 40 years of coverage (men) or age 53 and eight months (gradually rising to age 58 by 2023) with at least 35 years and eight months of coverage (women, gradually rising to 38 years by 2021); at any age with at least 45 years of coverage.

Disability pension: Must be younger than the pensionable age and assessed as incapable of all work (total disability). The required contribution period increases with age: one year of coverage if the disability began before age 20; two years if aged 20 to 24; three years if aged 25 to 29; and at least five years if aged 30 or older. If younger than age 58, work capacity must be reassessed within three years of original assessment.

There is no minimum qualifying period for a disability resulting from a work injury or an occupational disease.

Cash compensation for body impairment: Paid for a body impairment of at least 30% resulting from a work injury or occupational disease.

Constant-attendance supplement: Paid if the insured requires the constant attendance of others to perform daily functions.

Survivor pension: The deceased was a pensioner or had at least five years of coverage.

Eligible survivors include a widow aged 51 and 6 months (gradually rising to age 53 by 2017) or a widower aged 56 and 6 months (gradually rising to age 58 by 2017) who is disabled or caring for a child younger than age 15 (age 26 if a student, no limit if disabled); a dependent mother aged 60 or older or disabled; a dependent father aged 65 or older or disabled; children younger than age 15 (age 26 if a student, no limit if disabled); and dependent grandchildren, brothers, and sisters.

The widow(er)'s pension does not cease on remarriage.

If a survivor receives a pension in their own right, the survivor must choose to receive only one pension.

Payment of the survivor pension is suspended if the beneficiary is working in insured employment or as a self-employed person.

Funeral grant: Paid on the death of a pensioner to the person who paid for the funeral.

Benefits are payable abroad under reciprocal agreement.

Old-Age Benefits

Old-age pension: The pension is based on the number of years of contributions, the ratio of the individual's wage to the average wage, and the value of the general point.

The value of the general point is 712.15 dinars.

Schedule of payments: Pensions are paid twice a month; once a month for pensioners who were previously self-employed.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted twice a year in April and October according to changes in the consumer price index and the rate of GDP growth.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Disability pension: The pension is based on the number of years of contributions, the ratio of the individual's wage to the average wage, and the value of the general point.

The value of the general point is 712.15 dinars.

The required number of years of contributions depends on the age of the insured when the disability began. The required number of years differs for men and women.

Cash compensation for body impairment: A monthly benefit is paid.

Constant-attendance supplement: A monthly benefit is paid.

Schedule of payments: Pensions are paid twice a month; once a month for pensioners who were previously self-employed.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted twice a year in April and October according to changes in the consumer price index and the rate of GDP growth.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor pension: 70% of the old-age pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid for one survivor (140% for a full orphan); 80% for two survivors (160% for full orphans); 90% for three survivors (180% for full orphans); or 100% for four or more survivors (200% for full orphans).

The minimum survivor pension is the old-age pension calculated based on 20 years of coverage.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted twice a year in April and October according to changes in the consumer price index and the rate of GDP growth.

Funeral grant: The cost of the funeral is paid, up to 150% of the average pension paid in the last quarter before the pensioner's death.

Benefits are paid abroad under reciprocal agreement.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Policy (http://www.minrzs.gov.rs) provides general supervision.

Republic Fund for Pension and Disability Insurance (http://www.pio.rs) administers benefits.

Ministry of Finance–Tax Administration (http://www.poreskauprava.gov.rs) collects contributions.

Institute for Social Insurance (http://www.zso.gov.rs) coordinates the implementation of international social security agreements.

Sickness and Maternity

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1922.

Current laws: 2002 (families with children), 2004 (social insurance contributions), 2005 (health insurance), and 2005 (labor).

Type of program: Social insurance system.

Coverage

Cash sickness and maternity benefits: Employed and self-employed persons.

Medical benefits: Employed and self-employed persons, farmers, pensioners, unemployed beneficiaries, persons older than age 65, pregnant women, persons with mental or physical disabilities, social assistance beneficiaries , and children up to age 18 (26 if a full time student).

Voluntary coverage for medical benefits is available.

Special system for military personnel.

Source of Funds

Insured person: 6.15% of covered earnings; pensioners, 12.3% of the pension; voluntarily insured, 12.3% of covered declared earnings (medical benefits).

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Self-employed person: 12.3% of covered income.

The minimum monthly income used to calculate contributions is 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly income used to calculate contributions is five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Employer: 6.15% of covered payroll (Since 2006, the contribution rate is reduced or eliminated for up to 3 years depending on the age of the workers).

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Government: None; contributes as an employer.

Qualifying Conditions

Cash sickness benefits: Must be covered for at least three continuous months or six months in the last 18 months. There is no minimum coverage period for an incapacity resulting from a work injury or an occupational disease. The benefit is also paid for providing care for a sick family member (up to four months in one calendar year) or if the insured donates tissue or an organ.

If the insured receives benefits for more than six continuous months or for longer than 12 months within an 18-month period and is still incapable of work, a disability pension may be paid.

Cash maternity benefits: Paid to either of the child's parents, a guardian or a foster parent who adopts a child.

Medical benefits: There is no minimum qualifying period.

Sickness and Maternity Benefits

Sickness benefit: 65% of the calculation base (100% for a work injury, occupational disease, or organ or tissue donation) is paid from the 31st day of incapacity until recovery or the award of a disability pension. (The employer pays benefits for the first 30 days.)

The calculation base for an insured person is his or her average wage in the last three months, up to five times the national monthly average wage. If the benefit is paid for more than two months, the calculation base is adjusted each month according to changes in the average wage in the insured's place of employment.

The national monthly average gross wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

The calculation base for a self-employed person is his or her average covered income in the last three months.

Maternity benefit: 100% of the insured's earnings is paid with at least six months of continuous coverage; up to 60% with three to five months; 30% with less than three months. The benefit is paid monthly.

For the first and second child, the benefit is paid from 28 days before the expected date of childbirth for one year; for two years for each additional child.

Earnings used to calculate benefits are earnings in the last 12 months before the maternity leave began, up to five times the national monthly average wage.

The national monthly average gross wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

The minimum benefit is the minimum monthly wage.

The minimum monthly wage is 18,400 dinars.

For a self-employed person, the benefit is the average covered income in the last three months.

Workers' Medical Benefits

Health insurance institutions under contract with public and private health care services provide medical services directly to patients.

Services include measures for prevention and early detection of diseases, medicine, surgery, family planning and maternity care (for up to 12 months after childbirth), dental treatment, and prostheses.

The insured pays up to 35% of the cost of medical services and treatments, according to a schedule in law; no-copayment for medical services for work injury and occupational disease. Reduced copayments for disabled military and civil war veterans, blind persons, and persons with a permanent disability, persons receiving financial compensation for providing care to another person, and voluntary blood donors.

Dependents' Medical Benefits

Medical benefits for dependents are the same as those for the insured.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Health (http://www.zdravlje.gov.rs) provides general supervision.

Republic Fund of Health Insurance (http://www.rfzo.rs) administers benefits.

Ministry of Finance–Tax Administration (http://www.poreskauprava.gov.rs) collects contributions.

Institute for Social Insurance (http://www.zso.gov.rs) coordinates the implementation of international social security agreements.

Work Injury

Regulatory Framework

There is no specific program for work injury. Cash and medical benefits for a work injury or an occupational disease are provided through the Old-Age, Disability, and Survivors and Sickness and Maternity programs.

Unemployment

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1927.

Current laws: 1996 (citizens employed abroad); 2003 (vocational rehabilitation); and 2009 (unemployment insurance).

Type of program: Social insurance system.

Coverage

Employed and self-employed persons.

Exclusions: Farmers.

Source of Funds

Insured person: 0.75% of covered earnings.

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Self-employed person: 1.5% of covered income.

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly income earnings used to calculate contributions is five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Employer: 0.75% of covered payroll.

The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 35% of the national monthly average gross wage in the previous three months.

The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are five times the national monthly average gross wage in the previous month.

The national monthly average wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Government: None; contributes as an employer.

Qualifying Conditions

Unemployment benefit: At least 12 consecutive months of coverage or 12 months in the last 18 months. A gap in coverage of up to 30 days is permitted.

The benefit may be reduced for part-time work.

Unemployment Benefits

50% of the insured's average earnings in the last six months is paid.

The duration of the benefit depends on the length of the coverage period or the insured's age: the benefit is paid for up to three months with one to five years of coverage; up to six months with six to 15 years; up to nine months with 16 to 25 years; up to 12 months with more than 25 years; or up to 24 months if the insured will be of pensionable age within the next two years.

The minimum benefit is 80% of the national monthly minimum wage.

The minimum monthly wage is 18,400 dinars.

The maximum benefit is 160% of the national monthly average wage.

The national monthly average wage is 60,102 dinars (January 2014).

Schedule of payments: The benefit is paid monthly; a lump sum is paid if the funds will be used as start-up capital for a new business.

Administrative Organization

Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Policy (http://www.minrzs.gov.rs) provides general supervision.

National Employment Service (www.nsz.gov.rs) registers all employers and job seekers and administers the program.

Family Allowances

Regulatory Framework

First law: 1949.

Current law: 2002 (families).

Type of program: Universal system.

Coverage

Resident citizens of Serbia.

Source of Funds

Insured person: None.

Self-employed person: None.

Employer: None.

Government: The total cost through the central government budget. Municipal governments may provide supplements or additional benefits.

Qualifying Conditions

Parental allowance (means tested): Paid to a mother for up to four children. The mother must be covered for health insurance.

If there is no mother, the father may be eligible.

The parental allowance is not paid if the mother, or household family members pays tax on property valued above 12,000,000 dinars.

Child allowance (income tested): Paid to a parent, guardian, or foster parent raising up to four children. The parent, guardian, or foster parent and covered for health insurance.

The child must be younger than age 19 (age 26 for children with special needs).

Income test: Monthly per capita family income must not exceed 7,932 dinars; 9,519 dinars for a guardian, foster parent, single parent, or the parents of a child with a disability. Per capita family income levels are adjusted monthly according to changes in the cost of living.

Family Allowance Benefits

Parental allowance (means tested): A lump sum of 36,743 dinars is paid for the first child; 143,680 dinars for the second child; 258,613 dinars for the third child; and 344,813 dinars for the fourth child.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted twice a year in April and October according to changes in the consumer price index and the rate of GDP growth.

Child allowance (income tested): 2,568 dinars for each child is paid monthly.

Kindergarten costs for orphans, foster children, children with disabilities, and children in low-income families are reimbursed.

Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted twice a year in April and October according to changes in the consumer price index and the rate of GDP growth.

Administrative Organization

Municipal governments provide benefits.

Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (http://www.minrzs.gov.rs) is responsible for appeals.