Pensioners on low incomes are getting financial support in 2023 thanks to a government initiative to help those who rely heavily on their pensions to meet their day-to-day living expenses. Find out when pensioners’ aid will be granted and when the next installment will come in.
This measure was implemented in accordance with Emergency Ordinance 168/2022, which provides for the granting of financial aid to retirees from the public pension system, those from the state military pension system and beneficiaries of rights provided by special laws, with monthly income up to or equal to 3,000 lei.
Doina Pârcălabu, former head of the National Pension House and secretary of state in the Ministry of the Family, provided details about this initiative aimed at supporting disadvantaged categories of pensioners. She emphasized the importance of these social protection measures, which were implemented in both 2022 and 2023, to help low-income retirees who are struggling to meet their basic retirement needs.
According to the established formulas, the financial aid varies depending on the level of the pension:
- Pensioners with pensions of up to 1,500 lei receive a total aid of 1,000 lei.
- Those with pensions between 1,501 and 2,000 lei receive a total aid of 800 lei.
- Pensioners with pensions between 2,001 and 3,000 lei receive an aid of 600 lei.
See also: Pensions 2024 – all pensioners must know the increase in the pension point. Calculation example from January 1
When the second tranche of pensioner aid comes in
These amounts were divided into two installments, the first installment being granted in January, and the second installment to be paid in October 2023. Thus, pensioners with incomes below 1,500 lei have already received 500 lei in January and will receive another 500 lei in October.
Those with incomes between 1,501 and 2,000 lei received 400 lei in January and will receive another 400 lei in October, while those with incomes between 2,001 and 3,000 lei received 300 lei in the first installment and will receive another 300 lei in the second installment.
In addition, pensioners also have good news for their financial future, as an increase in pensions is expected from 1 January 2024. There are two possible options for this increase: indexation with the inflation rate or different calculation, according to the new pension law. If indexation with the inflation rate is chosen, the minimum pension would increase by approximately 150 lei. The current pension point is 1,785 lei, according to official information.
The Minister of Labour, Simona Bucura Oprescu, emphasized the importance of the two laws regarding pensions and mentioned that they represent a priority. She explained that she is working with the World Bank to assess the financial impact of these laws and that solutions are being sought to complete the part of the pension legislation as quickly as possible. There are three working options for increasing pensions, but the calculation formula has not yet been chosen.
In addition to these measures for retirees, starting in October, the minimum gross salary will be increased by 300 lei, reaching 3,300 lei. However, employees will receive only 93 lei in addition to their net salary, while 207 lei will go to the state to pay taxes.
