The retirement age should not be increased and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) will not propose an increase. This was said by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov during a blitz control in the relevant parliamentary committee. According to him, no change should be made until 2037, when the retirement age is scheduled to reach 65 years. The minister answered a question about the development of the Roadmap for improving the pension system.
In Bulgaria, the average life expectancy is one of the lowest – about 70 years for men, about 72 years for women, the minister noted.
Regarding whether contributions should be increased, we currently believe that at this stage they should not be increased - neither for the first pillar nor for the second, Gutsanov commented. We believe that certain views can be considered, such as an increase in the amount of the maximum social security income, which is currently 4,130 leva, the minister said. Whether it will be at the level of 4,430 leva for 2026 or a little more, let the Ministry of Finance propose when it makes the calculations, he said. Along with this - either to drop or to increase the maximum pension, Gutsanov added.
Our view is that Covid supplements should be dropped for future pensioners when the Roadmap comes into effect, the Minister of Social Affairs also informed. "The current situation remains as it is - they should not be reduced", he stressed.
According to the minister, the fight against the shadow economy is an opportunity to increase revenues for the pension system and the tax system.