Background information

In connection with the outbreak of coronavirus the government wanted to facilitate mobilisation of qualified and necessary personnel to work in the public health sector. Old-age pensioners with qualifications were regarded as a target group. The government proposed a change in the regulation of pension schemes to prevent that mobilised personnel will experience loss of pension when they receive labour income. The regulation suspends some of the public pension scheme rules on specified terms for a limited period.

Content of measure

The current rules on the reduction and termination of pensions in connection with employment income are clear and absolute in their form, so that any exceptions in general should be limited and well justified. In a pandemic situation, the overall purpose is that the public health service maintains necessary health care. In order to realize this purpose, the Ministry proposes that income from voluntary work in public health services or with private persons who, according to law or agreement, offer health services to the population, should not, however, result in a reduction or loss of pension. To prevent pension reduction for health professionals taking on extra work during the crisis connected to COVID-19, amendments to three pension scheme regulations were passed. The measure cover health and social standby and service, and the regulations comprise The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, pension fund for nurses and pension fund for employees in pharmacies. The measure will not require any specific funding.

Use of measure

No information to date.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Particular professions Workers in care facilities	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social insurance	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

The social partners have been in dialogue with the government concerning the regulation, and in the spring 2020, the employers' association Spekter requested on behalf of the health enterprises that the regulation should be extended, due to a demanding upcoming holiday season. The regulation was then extended.

Views and reactions

Social partners have been consulted regularly during design and implementation of the measure.

Sectors and occupations

Sources

• 13 March 2020: Prop. 53 LS (2019–2020) Endringer i skatteloven og skattebetalingsloven mv. (økonomiske tiltak i møte med virusutbruddet) (www.regjeringen.no)
• 17 April 2020: Tidsbegrenset unntak fra avkorting i pensjon for helsepersonell (www.regjeringen.no)
• 05 October 2020: Proposition from the governement - October 2020 (www.regjeringen.no)