Czech voice actor Zdeněk Mahdal says state pension is too low

A Czech voice actor, Zdeněk Mahdal, disclosed that his state pension of 15,000 Czech crowns (about €620) does not cover basic expenses, forcing him to continue working in dubbing studios to earn an additional €1,240 per month. He highlighted the growing competition in the dubbing market and warned that artificial intelligence poses a future threat to the profession.

Separately, a pension advice column explained how individuals can qualify for early retirement benefits, outlining eligibility for unemployment support, the importance of maintaining health‑insurance coverage through the employment office, and options such as reduced‑hour work to preserve pension insurance periods. The column emphasized that after exhausting unemployment benefits, retirees must rely on personal savings, as the state pension alone is insufficient.

Both pieces illustrate concerns that the Czech pension system provides low payouts, prompting retirees to seek supplemental income or adjust their employment status before reaching the statutory retirement age.