Ljubljana, 10 March (STA) - As talks are concluding among social partners on a pending pension reform, the opposition New Slovenia (NSi) party filed on Monday a legislative proposal that would enable retirees who continue working to receive a full old-age pension.
NSi MP Jernej Vrtovec told the press that the NSi firmly believes a pension is an earned right that should not be reduced or withdrawn simply because an individual wishes to continue working after retirement.
"Pensioners have paid contributions throughout their working lives, so they are entitled to their pension. If someone works for 40 years and pays contributions accordingly, it is only fair that they receive a full pension, regardless of whether they choose to keep working," he said.
Under the current system, retired persons working between half-time and full-time receive up to 40% of their pension along with their salary, but after three years this drops to only 20%. Vrtovec explained that there are approximately 16,000 pensioners in the first group and 4,000 in the second.
Vrtovec, who also argued pensioners should receive a higher pension for additional work after retirement since they continue to pay contributions while working, is convinced that this change would make Slovenian society fairer and more intergenerationally supportive, while also benefiting employers who struggle with a shortage of labour.
Among other measures, the proposed amendments seek to raise the old-age, disability, and widow's pensions to EUR 820 from the current EUR 781.94, and also increase the accrual rate for the lowest pensions.
The proposal comes as social partners are believed to be in the final stage of talks on a Labour Ministry proposal for paves the way for the first major pension reform after 2012.
When indicating a timeline in January, Prime Minister Robert Golob said a draft reform could be discussed by the government as early as March.
While refusing the go into details, Golob said the accrual rate, meaning the rate of the pension base converted into a pension benefit, would be increase to secure decent pensions.
Labour Minister Luka Mesec announced in mid-2014 that the plan is to keep 40 years of pensionable service as a basic retirement condition, while starting a gradual two-year retirement age increase to 67 in 2028.
The average old age pension in Slovenia amounted to just under EUR 900 net in December 2024, but pensions rose by another 4.5% with the latest adjustment to wage growth and inflation. Average monthly pay in 2024 was EUR 1,526.02 net.
