Widow pensions: the government is torn between reductions and social pressure

The government has encountered a tough reality: It is necessary to decide on the issue of reducing pensions on the occasion of the loss of the breadwinner. This problem lasts for at least six yearscreating all new difficulties, especially if pensioners They will force the amount to returnthat they paid them.

Although the final decision is expected in the near future – probably before the end of the year – two different positions took shape in the government about how to act with the pensions of widows and widowers of the private sector.

The “hard” line occupies the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the State Chancellery Kostis Hajidakis, who, since the period of his leadership, the Ministry of National Economy insists on the need “A single approach to the problem, despite its high political price”. Hajidakis believes that abbreviations in the private sector should be used according to the same logic as in the public sector and in the ROG.

More careful Minister of Labor Nicky Keramoos. She emphasizes that the issue of pensions in the occasion of the breadwinner has a special social severity, because we are talking about a significant reduction in pensioners’ income. In addition, many of them will be required to return the large amounts received since 2020.

If the government selects The “hard” lineit will touch on 100,000 pensions widows and widowers of the private sector. These payments should be made in accordance with the size of pensions that their analogues receive in the public sector. Various scenarios of possible reductions are already discussed.

The government has to make a difficult decision: to apply the provisions of the law on reducing widows and widow pensions in cases where the recipient receives his own pension or works.

In law, the amount of pensions should decrease by 50% after three years (from 70% to 35%) in case of employment or receipt of a second pension. This mechanism was supposed to be used since 2020, but is still implemented only in the state sector and in the Regional State Administration.

Special tension is associated with whether there will be retroactive amounts were recovered – The money that the recipients of pensions received since 2020, despite the fact that under the law the payment should have been cut. The decision should be made before the end of 2025.

The scenariors under consideration

• In the case of two pensions – reduce 50% smaller.
• Reduce only the national part of the pension (427 euros), without affecting the insurance (labor) component.
• To oblige pensioners to return overpayments since 2020 – but by installments.

The problem affects the very herself national pensionsince, according to the law, it should be paid only one – if a widower or widow receives several pensions.

Editor comment

Today the government faced the classic Trishkin caftan. On the one hand, creditors require a priority for duty, which already exceeds 150% of the country’s GDP. On the other hand, millions of citizens are waiting for justice and minimal social protection. But from the remains of the budget, you have to cut out miserable funds for pensions and benefits.

Any solution will turn into stiff consequences: Or a fall in the standard of living, or an increase in political pressure. This choice cannot be called a real choice – rather, it is a forced maneuver in conditions of chronic dependence on external duty.

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