Voluntary elements in statutory pensions

The study "Voluntary elements in the statutory pension systems in the European Union - first pillar only" looks at the scope of voluntary elements in statutory pension schemes in the different EU Member States - whether such voluntary elements exist, to what extent and for which groups of people or periods. It looks at what type of insurance is covered by voluntary payments (old-age / survivor / invalidity benefits) and how many people actually make use of this option.

The study by Annette Lotz, Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestellte, Berlin/Nuremberg, Germany was commissioned by ESIP in light of the decisions of the European Court of Justice in the field of health insurance e.g. Kohll-Decker and Danner, which make payments in kind and voluntary contributions to pension insurance subject to EU laws governing the free movement of goods and services, the European Commission's Green Paper on Services of General Interest and the reference to such services in the European Constitution.