Coordination of social security systems: amending Annexes

PURPOSE: to amend the annexes to Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the co-ordination of social security systems.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

BACKGROUND: in May 2004, Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 came into force. It was adopted in order to simplify and modernise existing legislation on the co-ordination of social security systems, since current legislation dates back to a 1971 Regulation (Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71). However, for the 2004 Regulation to become applicable its Annexes must first be completed.

The remainder of the Annexes being amended by this proposal already contain provisions for several of the EU Member States. However, since the accession of new EU Member States, commencing in 2004, these Annexes need to be updated to take account of the enlargement process.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal, therefore, is to amend the Annexes to Regulation (EC) No 883/2004. Specifically the Commission proposes that:

• the content of Annexes II (provisions of conventions which remain in force) and Annex X (special non-contributory cash benefits) be determined - before Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 becomes applicable;
• Annexes I, III, IV, VI, VIII, IX and XI be adopted to take account of new requirements due to the EU’s enlargement in May 2004;
•  minor amendments be adopted to Annexes I, III, VII and IX, to take account of recent developments in other EU Member States.