Pension
Disability benefits being confiscated from 'protected acounts'
The ostensible shield of so-called protected bank accounts, which is supposed to prevent the confiscation of certain deposits for debt purposes, is full of holes and does not protect families in need, as it should. Kathimerini has learned that complaints have been made to the Ombudsman regarding a series of state agencies which have raided a number of these supposedly protected accounts.
Over-45s caught in the eye of the unemployment crisis
Increasing numbers of Greeks over the age of 45 are finding themselves at an economic impasse, as the unemployment rate in the 45-64 age group is growing instead of dropping, like the overall jobless rate in Greece.
Four threats to EFKA may lead to pension cuts
Four factors are threatening the new Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) this year and are expected to lead to the activation of the automatic fiscal correction mechanism before 2019.
The first factor concerns the government's pledge to release main pensions to at least 120,000 retirees who have been waiting to be paid for at least two years.
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Contribution reduction for freelancers
Freelance workers who get paid by one or two employers through invoice books for services rendered (known as "blokakia") will now pay the same amount in social security contributions as salary workers, according to a circular released on Tuesday by the Labor Ministry in an effort to tackle the major practical problems generated by (as well as the huge reaction to) recent legislation.
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Major cuts to pensions for those retiring this year
15 drastic changes in social security law
The new social security system, legislated by former Labour Minister George Katrougalis will change drastically as of January 1, 2017 for thousands of employees and pensioners. Some of the changes that will take affect from the new year include:
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Ceiling to be forced on 70,000 pensioners
Over 70,000 Greek pensioners will suffer significant cuts to their pensions - retroactively too - in the coming days owing to the imposition of a ceiling on their monthly handouts.
Effective as of June 1, 2016, the new maximum level is set at 2,000 euros gross (or 1,767 euros net) for each individual pension and 3,000 euros gross for each retiree's total income from pensions.
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Changes in tax contributions to affect 3,5 million people
Approximately 650,000 farmers are expected to receive notices for their new hiked contributions covering the first half of 2016. Following a series of changes and tweaks, the new system for calculating contributions for professionals, farmers and scientists will take effect as of January 1, 2017.
Bulgaria's Budget Commission Rejects Proposal for Minimum Pension of BGN 300
The budget commission has rejected the proposal of the deputies of the Patriotic Front for a minimum pension of BGN 300.
The Patriotic Front had offered two options for an increase of pensions next year. The first option was for a minimum pension of BGN 200 and recalculation of the rest of the pensions as of April 1. The other option was for a minimum pension of BGN 300 as of July 1.
Ferries to strike on Thursday
Ferries are expected to stay docked in ports across Greece on Thursday as seamen stage a 24-hour strike in protest at the latest round of cuts to pensions and job insecurity.
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