Press Release: Old-age benefits: Commission refers Slovakia to Court for refusing to pay an old-age benefit to pensioners abroad

The European Commission has referred Slovakia to the EU's Court of Justice for refusing to pay an old-age benefit, a so called Christmas allowance, to pensioners living in other EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland in breach of its obligations under EU law on social security coordination.

Under EU law, entitlement to an old-age benefit cannot be conditional on a pensioner living in another Member State where he or she claims the benefit. This rule enables pensioners to move to another Member State when they retire whilst retaining their pension.

ESO: Background information: April infringements package: main decisions http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-april-infringements-package-main-decisions/

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