Burgenland pension gap remains wide despite later Equal Pension Day

Burgenland’s Equal Pension Day falls on August 7 this year, ORF reported, meaning men have statistically received as much pension as women receive over the entire year.

On this calculation, women go without pension payments for 146 days each year. The later the date falls, the smaller the gap. In Burgenland, Equal Pension Day has moved 15 days later since 2019, but the Austrian Trade Union Federation, ÖGB, said the pension gap remained substantial and required further action.

Women receive lower average pensions

Women in Burgenland receive an average pension of 1,586 euros, compared with 2,642 euros for men.

Tina Phillippovitsch, chairwoman of the Austrian Trade Union Youth, cited low starting salaries, career breaks for parental leave, part-time work and poorly paid sectors employing many women as some of the reasons for lower pensions.

Christine Hager, chairwoman of the ÖGB’s Burgenland pensioners’ organisation, said people who had spent years caring for children or relatives should not be penalised with a lower pension in old age. She said Burgenland had made progress through free kindergartens, expanded childcare and an employment model for family carers, but further measures were needed to give women equal opportunities in working life and ensure this was reflected in their pensions.

Union calls for expanded childcare

The ÖGB is calling, among other measures, for nationwide expansion of full-day childcare, fair wages in sectors traditionally employing women and a legal entitlement to full-time work instead of part-time employment.

In the 2026 comparison, Equal Pension Day falls on July 14 in Vorarlberg, July 20 in Upper Austria, July 25 in Tyrol, August 2 in Styria, August 5 in Salzburg, August 7 in Burgenland, August 8 in Lower Austria, August 9 across Austria, August 11 in Carinthia and September 21 in Vienna.