What is the difference between EU pension and reduced earning capacity pension?

The statutory reduced earning capacity pension is intended to compensate for financial losses caused by the premature end of gainful employment. However, the reduction in earning capacity must be medically verifiable. In addition, the insured person must have worked for at least 3 years in the last five years or fulfil a “waiting period”. This form of pension has existed since 1 January 2001 and replaced the former disability pension (EU pension) in the course of the pension reform of 2000.

According to the old regulation, employees were entitled to an occupational disability pension (BU pension) if they were only able to exercise their own occupation to less than 50 per cent due to illness or disability. A disability pension (EU pension) was paid to those who could no longer pursue their occupation at all.