social security - FOD Sociale Zekerheid

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at new social categories (e.g.: the self-employed); on the other hand, the existing benefits(pensions, unemployment benefits and family benefits) were also subject to a positive evolution.This brought along changes in the financing as well: the government's financial input increased.Gradually, our social security system evolved from a simple insurance against social risks toa guarantee for subsistence security for everybody. The 1974 law on the subsistence minimum(now social integration income) is to be seen in that context.When the crisis hits in the mid-1970s, the unemployment grows, the number of beneficiariesincreases and it gets difficult to contain the costs of social security. The only solution was toincrease the revenue side and to cut down on social benefits. As from 1982, a crisis policy ispursued. Different categories in the unemployment schemes were introduced then. The cut-downin benefits particularly struck couples living together, single persons and young persons duringtheir 'waiting period' (the period before you can receive unemployment benefits).To enhance the competitiveness of companies, the employers' social security contributions weredrastically lowered over the last few years and partly replaced by 'alternative financing sources'(from VAT revenues).However, as far as the benefits are concerned, minimum pensions have been raised and thelegislations on the 'social integration income' (the former 'subsistence minimum') and the'income guarantee for the elderly' (the former 'guaranteed income for the aged') have beenchanged. Moreover, since 2008, self-employed persons are also entitled to reimbursements for"small risks".Finally, in 2009, equal treatment for women and men has been completed as to pension age forsalaried persons and self-employed persons. From now on the normal pension age is establishedat 65 years for both men and women.C. Ideological backgroundSocial security in the various countries is based on two systems, following the reflections of twopioneers: Bismarck and Beveridge.Bismarck, Germany's Chancellor at the end of the 19th century, elaborated a social securitysystem in which the financing is borne by both employees and employers, completed with agovernment contribution for pensions. Benefits are salary-linked, for the aim was to guaranteethat all workers could maintain their living standard if particular risks would appear. The Bismarcksystem is a form of solidarity between the workers.Lord Beveridge, who lived in the first half of the 20th century, stated that not only the workers,but also the total population was entitled to subsistence security. Regardless of the type ofemployment, he provides - by means of taxes - the same lump sum benefit for every citizen, incase of unemployment, sickness, pension, etc.The Belgian system combines features of both tendencies. For instance, pensions (except for theminimum and maximum amounts) are established through the social contributions you havepaid for them (Bismarck), but (almost) everyone is entitled to reimbursement of hospital costs(Beveridge). The social assistance systems are to be seen in the light of the Beveridge conceptas well.8
The various social security systems existing in our neighbouring countries are often (partly orcompletely) based upon the Bismarck system (Germany) or are inspired by the basic ideas ofBeveridge (United Kingdom).D. OrganisationIn the organisation of the Belgian social security system, a first distinction should be madebetween the three systems.In the system for salaried persons - the largest of the three - the National Office for SocialSecurity (RSZ - ONSS) is the central institution. The RSZ - ONSS collects both the employers' and theemployees' social security contributions. Payment of benefits is made by payment institutions,called semi-public institutions ('parastatal'). Every social security sector has a specific semi-publicinstitution:RKW - ONAFTSRVA - ONEMRVP - ONPRIZIV - INAMIFAO - FATFBZ - FMPRJV - ONVANational office for family allowancesNational employment officeNational pension officeNational institute for sickness and invalidity insuranceFund for accidents at workFund for occupational diseasesNational office for annual vacationSelf-employed persons are insured for five social security sectors (medical care, incapacity forwork or invalidity, maternity insurance, family benefits, pensions and bankruptcy). Self-employedpersons join and pay social contributions to a social insurance fund for self-employed people or tothe National Auxiliary Fund for Social Insurance of the Self-Employed, controlled by the Nationalinstitute for the social insurances of self-employed persons (RSVZ - INASTI). Social insurance fundsare also charged with paying other benefits to self-employed persons (family benefits, maternityaid, benefits from the insurance for bankruptcy and unconditional pensions).The RSVZ - INASTI has two major tasks:a) collect the social contributions;b) coordinate the payment of benefits (except for medical care and invalidity benefits).Civil servants can be divided into two categories: staff of local and provincial authorities andthat of other administrations. The first category of civil servants depends of the National SocialSecurity Office for the Local and Provincial Administrations (RSZPPO - ONSSAPL). For the other civilservants, the authority that employs them shall be responsible for the collection and payment ofcontributions, except for the contributions for medical care, which are allocated to the salariedpersons' scheme.9
Page 1: social securityEverything you have
Page 4 and 5: Table of contentsPreface 3Table of
Page 6 and 7: IntroductionA. The importance of so
Page 10 and 11: E. The Charter of the socially insu
Page 12 and 13: FinancingThe financing in the three
Page 14 and 15: B. Alternative financingBesides the
Page 16 and 17: Statistics and budgetsIn the course
Page 18 and 19: Budget of the National Institute fo
Page 20 and 21: C. Extension of the salaried person
Page 22 and 23: In the salaried persons' scheme, ev
Page 24 and 25: holidays and for children receiving
Page 26 and 27: 4) Social supplementsThose entitled
Page 28 and 29: If a person does not meet the condi
Page 30: Eligible workers (cf. above) who re
Page 33 and 34: D. Early retired and young people h
Page 35 and 36: B. Retirement pensionsTo obtain a r
Page 37 and 38: B.2. Career“Career years” are y
Page 39 and 40: C. Survivor's pensionsA survivor's
Page 41 and 42: Medical careWhat exactly is medical
Page 43 and 44: - Persons entitled to one of the be
Page 45 and 46: Beneficiaries in a situation of con
Page 47 and 48: Income categories (in €) (2010)Am
Page 49 and 50: For an unemployed person, the amoun
Page 51 and 52: C. Federal civil servantsThe sickne
Page 53 and 54: A.2. Self-employed womenSelf-employ
Page 55 and 56: B.2. Indemnity for loss of incomeNo
Page 57 and 58: E. Civil servantsThe civil servant
Page 59 and 60:
There are a few small differences l
Page 61 and 62:
Workers in the private sector and a
Page 63 and 64:
The social insurance in case of ban
Page 65 and 66:
C. Serious illness of a child or pa
Page 67 and 68:
B - 1 Multilateral agreementsMultil
Page 69 and 70:
C - 2. Granting of the benefitsThes
Page 71 and 72:
For the elderly, there is also a th
Page 73 and 74:
What is the right to social integra
Page 75 and 76:
The amount of the integration incom
Page 77 and 78:
D. Guaranteed family benefitsGuaran
Page 79 and 80:
B. Public social security instituti
Page 81 and 82:
F.G.T.B.:Fédération Générale de
Page 84:
© 2011FPS Social SecurityAdministr
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