Notification of changes
Recipients of work disability pensions must notify the National Insurance Institute of any change that might affect payment of the pension (a change of address, receipt of another benefit from the National Insurance Institute or a trip abroad for more than 6 months). The notification should be submitted in writing within 30 days of the change.
Exemption from payment of insurance contributions
A recipient of a work disability pension who has no other income is exempt from paying insurance contributions during the period of time that he is entitled to the pension.
A recipient of a work disability pension for whom a permanent disability of 100% has been established is exempt from paying insurance contributions during the period of time that he is entitled to the pension, even if he has other income. However, if he is self-employed, he must pay work injury insurance contributions and if he is a salaried employee, his employer must pay work injury insurance contributions and workers’ rights in corporate bankruptcy and dissolution insurance contributions for him.
Reduction, suspension or termination of pension
The National Insurance Institute is entitled to reduce, suspend or terminate a work disability pension if, without sufficient justification, the disabled person disregards the instructions of a competent physician that are designed to expedite his recovery, restore his capacity to work or reduce the degree of his disability, and if he disregards legally given instructions regarding his vocational rehabilitation.
A pension that is not collected by the entitled person
If a recipient of a work disability pension dies without collecting the full pension due to him, the pension debt is paid to his survivors. If the person entitled to the pension does not leave any survivors, the pension debt is paid to a person who can prove that in the past year he provided the entitled person with essential goods or services without receiving consideration - provided that the claim for payment of the pension debt is submitted within 12 months from the date of death of the pension recipient. The amount of the debt may not exceed the amount of the pension for the six months prior to the death of the entitled person.
If a person entitled to a work disability pension dies without having submitted a claim for the pension, his survivors are entitled to submit a claim for the pension that was due to him, within 12 months from the date of his death.
Badge and certificate
If a permanent work disability of 20% or more has been established for someone, the National Insurance Institute provides him with a special badge and work disability certificate (only he is entitled to wear the badge).