A majority (88 per cent) of working-age Austrian women support measures to promote occupational pensions, according to new research by Spectra on behalf of Valida Vorsorge Management, amid growing concerns over the adequacy of the state pension.

Three-quarters (75 per cent) of women would go a step further, supporting mandatory workplace pension schemes. This is compared to 63 per cent of men, revealing a broad-based public appetite for reform.

Around half (51 per cent) of women welcomed pension splitting, a system that allows a working parent to transfer part of their state pension entitlement to a partner who has taken career breaks or reduced hours to raise children.

Valida described this as “a good option” for mothers in part-time employment or on maternity leave, but noted that it is rarely used. The survey found that 18 per cent of women are opposed to the model.

Valida Vorsorge Management member of the board of directors, Elisabeth Radocha, also stressed the need for improved collective agreements to boost supplementary pensions.

“Unfortunately, a striking number of women work in professional sectors whose collective agreements do not regulate company pension solutions,” she said.

Support for supplementary pensions comes in light of concerns about the state pension system. The survey found that 88 per cent of working-age Austrian women believe they will not be able to live well on the state pension alone.

On average, women expect a future monthly pension of €1,669 — higher than the current average of €1,409, according to Statistics Austria.

Meanwhile, for men, the typical monthly pension amount is €2,374, highlighting the gender pensions gap.

The research comes ahead of Equal Pension Day in Austria on 7 August - the day on which male pensioners have already received as much income as female pensioners can expect to receive for the entire year.

“The fact that this day falls on 7 August this year shows that many retired women face major financial challenges,” Radocha said.

“In order to improve the situation of future pensioners, financial provision – and in particular occupational pensions – is of great relevance. Because a supplementary pension from the second pillar enables women to lead a self-determined life in old age."

The study also examined working-age women's opinions on the current Austrian reform proposals and found mixed support.

The partial pension, which has been decided, allows individuals who are eligible for a pension to continue working reduced hours starting in 2026 while also being allowed to draw a portion of their pension.

This reform is welcomed by seven out of 10 women, but two-thirds of women reject the increase in the retirement age.

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