Bituach Leumi, or National Insurance, is a required payment for most citizens of Israel. Employees have this payment automatically deducted from their salaries, while business owners pay it directly to the Bituach Leumi government office. This office is responsible for the social security of residents of the country, ensuring that those who can’t care for themselves are taken care of.
Here are some of the benefits that Bituach Leumi provides for Israelis:
- Old age pension – Old age pension is paid at age 70 regardless of income, and at retirement age, if income is low. Retirement age is 67 for men and between 62-65 for women, depending on their birthdate.
- Unemployment benefits – Salaried employees who are currently registered as unemployed can receive payment for a few months while they look for a new job.
- Injury payment – A person who was injured in an accident and has lost the ability to function, can receive up to 90 days of payment.
- Disability – If working is impossible or greatly reduced due to a health condition, Bituach Leumi will pay disability payments, based on a claim to the office and its medical board.
- Birth grant – An Israeli resident who gives birth is entitled to a one-time grant to cover some of the initial expenses of adding to the family. If the birth was in an Israeli hospital or registered as a home birth in Israel, this payment is received automatically.
- Bed rest/maternity/parental payment – If a pregnant woman was put on bed rest by her doctor, Bituach Leumi will compensate for loss of her salary during this time. A woman who takes maternity leave from her job is eligible for maternity payment from Bituach Leumi. Some of the leave can be taken by the father of the baby instead of the mother, with payment paid to him instead.
- Child allowance – A small child allowance is paid for each child in the family (until age 18), regardless of the family’s income. The amount of the allowance is determined by the number of children in the family, their birthdates and whether the family is receiving other benefits from Bituach Leumi. Parents of a disabled child will receive a higher amount, to help with expenses incurred while raising a child with a disability.
- Savings plan – Any child for whom a child allowance is received also gets a monthly deposit into a savings plan, which allows them to start their adult lives with an initial amount of money. Parents can choose to add another 57 NIS a month from their own money to the savings plan (but not more or less).
- Reserve service benefit – Any soldier who is called up for training or for reserve service receives payment from Bituach Leumi. The amount is based on the employee’s average salary for the three months before Miluim. Non-employed reservists will be paid the minimum amount.
- Income support – An individual or family unable to support itself can receive income support to make up the difference in income, based on criteria set out by Bituach Leumi.
Bituach Leumi also provides support for single parents, Holocaust survivors, victims of terror, the elderly in long-term care and righteous gentiles. Click here for a full list (in English) of benefits available from Bituach Leumi.
