Pensioners living outside the Slovak Republic face specific issues regarding the payment and administration of their pensions. The article provides clear and targeted information on pension payment options and the necessary administrative procedures to ensure the smooth receipt of pension payments across borders. It answers the most frequently asked questions and offers important advice on how to navigate the pension system when living abroad.

Where to find help?

The Social Insurance Office will provide you with information on pensions:

• On the phone +421 906 171 931
• Via the enquiry form on their website
• When visiting the Social Insurance Office in person
• In the Information and Counselling Centre at the headquarters of the Social Insurance Institution in Bratislava, ul. 29.
  August no. 8.

For what period is the pension paid?

Pensions are paid in advance in monthly instalments. If you receive your pension in a country outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland, it is paid in arrears every three months after proof of residence. Payments are processed so that they are debited from your Social Security account by the fifth day of the calendar month.

Why do I have to show proof of living and how often?

Proof of living is required to verify that the pensioner is still alive. If you live outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you must provide proof of residence every three months (on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October). If you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, the certificate must be submitted once a year on 31 January. From 2022, pensioners living in the Czech Republic do not need to submit an annual certificate. The Social Insurance Office exchanges this data electronically with the Czech Social Security Administration.

What are the pension payment options?

A pension may be paid to you:

• To your account at a bank or branch of a foreign bank
• In cash
• To your spouse’s account at a bank or branch of a foreign bank

If you are sending your pension to a bank account outside the Slovak Republic, you must provide the IBAN account number and the BIC (SWIFT) code of the bank.

Can I change the way my pension is paid?

Yes, you can change the way your pension is paid. Please request this in writing with your handwritten signature. Use the form available on the Social Insurance Institution’s website to request that your pension be transferred to a foreign bank account. The change must be processed within three months of receipt of the request.

What are the obligations of a pension recipient?

Each pension recipient must notify in writing of a change of name, surname or address. Other obligations depend on the type of pension received. For example:

• For early retirement pensions, notify the start or end of compulsory
  pension insurance.
• For disability pensions, it is necessary to undergo medical check-ups.
• For widow’s and widower’s pensions, report a change in status or termination of care for
  dependent child.
• For the orphan’s pension, report the completion or interruption of studies at secondary school or
  college.
• These obligations must be fulfilled within eight days.

Even if you live outside Slovakia, the Social Insurance Office is here to help you with any questions or changes to your pension payments. Use the contacts listed to get the help and reassurance you need. You can contact the Social Insurance Office on the free phone number 0800 123 123, via the Enquiry Form on their website, or in person at their branches.