No pensioner will be left without raise
Labor and Social Security Minister Kostis Hatzidakis announced on Friday a possible new intervention next month for pensioners who, due to the so-called “personal difference,” did not see an increase in the final amount they receive.
Referring to them, Hatzidakis said that “the government – always within the limits of the budget’s capacity – will consider an additional intervention to address problems or injustices, such as that of pensioners with a personal difference, who are not adequately covered by the latest increases in pensions.”
According to ministry figures, for 910,000 pensioners (out of a total of 2.6 million) the increase in pensions by 7.75% has not materialized; however, it has reduced the “personal difference,” or the amount in their favor due to the change in law. However, 260,000 pensioners in this category did get the €250 allowance recently and another 515,000 benefited from the abolition of the extraordinary solidarity levy. Therefore, 17% of “personal difference” retirees, or 5.5% of the total (143,000), did not benefit from the combined increases. For them, the additional intervention announced by Hatzidakis is being considered.
