Belgian local officials receive disability pensions while in office

Seventeen local politicians in Belgium, including two mayors and fifteen aldermen, are currently receiving disability pensions while simultaneously performing their official duties. This situation was made possible by an outdated regulatory system that has since been abolished.

According to data obtained by N-VA Member of Parliament Eva Demesmaeker through the federal pension service and Minister Jan Jambon, the previous rules were rigid and did not account for an individual's capacity for part-time work or alternative professional roles. Demesmaeker highlighted the contradiction of the state classifying these individuals as permanently unfit for work while voters deem them capable of leading municipalities.

Under current regulations, recipients of disability pensions may earn an additional gross annual income of up to 30,132 euros, or 36,652 euros for those with dependents, before their benefits are proportionally reduced. If an official's gross income exceeds 60,000 euros, their disability pension is reduced to zero for the duration of their mandate.