PURPOSE: to modernise and update provisions relating to national social security legislation.
PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.
BACKGROUND: this proposal relates to Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community. It has been amended on a number of occasions mostly to keep its provisions updated with regard to national social security changes as well as the accession on the new Member States.
In 2004, the institutions approved a new Regulation: Regulation (EC) 883/2004, which simplifies and updates the 1971 Regulation. See COD/1998/0360. Indeed, the 2004 Regulation will apply once its implementing Regulation has come into force.
CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal is to update and amend the references in certain annexes to the 1971 Regulation because the national legislation to which they refer has been amended. This regular update is intended to be the last one for Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 before the application of the two new Regulations.
Prior to presenting the proposal, the Commission consulted the Member States on changes made in their national legislation to social security schemes. Member States frequently amend their national social security legislation and as a result, references made to national law in EU legislation becomes outdated thereby creating legal uncertainty. Not only does this impact upon EU citizens moving with the EU it also makes the work of national social security institutions more complicated.
In terms of workload or costs, the proposal will make no particular difference to the existing situation.