Social law

Auxiliary pensions have been in steady decline for some time now and are likely to shrink even further, to less than 100 euros a month, according to a scientific study seen by Kathimerini.

A five percent increase in pensions will be implemented in Serbia starting January 1, while public sector salaries will grow ten percent.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic announced this on Saturday in the town of Krusevac, during a news conference held after her cabinet's session organized to mark its first 100 days in office.

Pressure from the country's creditors and the order by Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) chief Thanasis Bakalexis for the competent agencies to work over the weekend have resulted in the issue of pensions adding up to 12.6 million euros that will be paid out on Tuesday to 4,193 new pensioners.

The government is forcing the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) to rush through the paperwork for new pensioners and make as many payments as possible by Tuesday - to the extent that the fund's employees are being asked to work over the weekend to clear the backlog - so that Greece can make the deadline for the payment of dues to third parties.

Payment of pensions for October will begin on 9 October (Monday) and will end on 20 October (Friday) 2017, reported BGNES. 

The payment of pensions will be through post offices and will be made in accordance with a prepared schedule, which will be announced in advance at each post office.

From this month, 824 thousand pensioners will receive a higher pension with an average rise of 17 BGN. The minimum pension for old age is 200 BGN, reports Sega. 

This is the second increase of pensions for this year, agreed between GERB and their coalition partners.

From July 1, 2018, all pensions will be increased by 3.8%, Social Minister Biser Petkov announced to bTV. The percentage is set by the golden Swiss rule, which accounts for half of the rise in insurance income and inflation. This means that the average pension, which is now 350 leva, will grow by 13-14 leva, Petkov calculated, quoted by Dnevnik.

The analyzes show that the pension system will be stable by 2040, but then reform will be needed to avoid a crisis, announced Social Minister Bisser Petkov on bTV on Monday.

The Labor Ministry is expected to table a bill toward the end of the month that aims to tie up a number of loose ends related to labor and pension legislation.

The draft law will not be linked to any commitments Greece has as part of its bailout agreement with its international lenders ahead of the next program review, which is due to begin the autumn.

Romania's Social Democrat-led government said on Friday it would cap special pensions for the military and secret services to keep spending in check, Reuters reports.