2nd big secret

The luxury problem of ORF pensions

Former General Alexander Wrabetz is to receive a pension of 8,000 euros per month next year. That is four times the salary of an average male pensioner.(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

After the revealed salary emperors, the state broadcaster is also keeping a second big secret: the so-called pensions for ex-directors and their high security in the budget ...

Even before the list of the 62 top salaries in public broadcasting sent to the Federal Chancellery on Easter Sunday, "Krone" readers already know: Ö3 man Robert Kratky in first place comes to more than 550,000 euros gross salary per year with side jobs. Behind him, Pius Strobl collects 440,000 euros in salary until 2026 thanks to a special contract from the time of his former boss Alexander Wrabetz. The current Director General Roland Weißmann (420,000 euros) earns ten percent less than his predecessor.

Former General Alexander Wrabetz is to receive a pension of 8,000 euros per month next year. That is four times the salary of an average male pensioner.(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Stop publication by going to the Supreme Court
The ORF works council wants to stop the publication of the list, at least in the future, by going to the Supreme Court. But that will take time. There is now internal discussion as to whether one of the top earners soon to retire could file a so-called individual application with the Constitutional Court on data protection grounds. This would be decided more quickly.

Pensions are also the keyword for the next financial chunk at Küniglberg. Provisions for pensions continue to eat up more than 100 million euros a year. Further liabilities in the budget are incurred for severance payments and unused vacation.

In total, these accumulated securities for the thousands of employees and many more pensioners account for every third euro of the billion-euro budget. However, in addition to the "normal" company pensions, there are also luxury pensions.

Old privileges still cost a lot of money
Although such privileges for ex-directors have been a thing of the past for almost 25 years, they still affect up to 14 former managers or the widows of deceased top managers. Ex-General Alexander Wrabetz will now also be able to enjoy a generous ORF pension when he retires next year at the age of 65. It is reported that he will receive 8,000 euros per month, four times as much as the average male pensioner.

Meanwhile, the new director Roland Weißmann swears his staff on in an internal email about the salary disclosure: "Do not allow yourself to be provoked in the public debate. Not even in social media."