26. Provisions for pensions and similar commitments

Active special policyholders with direct assurances to pension benefits, including members of the Management Board and leading executives in accordance with Section 80 paragraph 1 of the Stock Corporation Act, as well as active employees with direct assurances to pension benefits according to the "trade association recommendation for in-house and field sales staff” who, in 2008 and 2011, approved the offer to transfer existing vested pension rights to Valida Pension AG (formerly ÖPAG Pensionskassen AG) on the basis of concluded works agreements, are included in a contribution-based pension fund. The corresponding transfer amounts (the assurance cover) were paid to Valida Pension AG in 2008 and 2011 in accordance with Section 48 of the Pension Fund Act. For the purpose of guaranteeing the level of the pension fund pension according to the previous direct assurances to pension benefits, those entitled to vested rights have a claim to payment of a (one-time) final pension fund contribution at the time of pension eligibility. No contributions are made for the benefit phase. In 2011, € 31,092 thousand were transferred.

The UNIQA Group’s repositioning led to an expected reduction of staff, which is covered by provisions for social capital amounting to € 49,147 thousand (2011: € 75,000 thousand).

Under the contribution-oriented company pension scheme, the employer pays the fixed amounts into company pension funds. The employer has satisfied his obligation by making these contributions.