The systems of the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) are ready for the introduction of the euro from January 1 and for payments only in euros. This was said by the head of the institute, Vessela Karaivanova, during an information meeting on the introduction of the euro in Blagoevgrad, BTA reports.
She recalled that from July 1, pensioners who received an update of their pensions have seen the double designation – in leva and in euro, and the currency conversion will always be in favor of the insured persons.
The same applies to those who use different types of benefits. Since July 1, all those who received benefits for pregnancy and maternity, unemployment, or days of incapacity for work, which are approaching 12 million days, received in their monthly payments a double designation, added Vessela Karaivanova.
Thus, the minimum amount of the pension for insurance experience and age of 630.50 leva is 322.37 euros, and the maximum amount of the pension of 3400 leva is 1738.40 euros.
The head of the Social Security Institute once again reiterated that the employees of the National Social Security Institute will do what is necessary for the people. They will not come to your door, they will not call you, they will not make you sign documents, all this is done automatically, said Karaivanova.
She recalled that from January 1, ATMs will only give out euros, just like post offices, that is, there is no danger of anyone receiving a pension or compensation in leva. On the other hand, during this month it will be possible to pay in leva if there are not enough euro banknotes, but she recommended cashless payments for greater security.
The NSSI Director also recalled that no new accounts should be opened in banks, no other contracts should be made for different payment services than those that have already been established so far.
Not a single payment - for pension, for illness, for pregnancy and childbirth, for raising a child - will be changed, reduced or lost, Vessela Karaivanova was categorical. She also said that although the information campaign about the euro officially ends at the end of October, the employees of the National Social Security Institute are determined to continue until then, as long as there is a need.
People are sure that their fears and hesitations will be calmed when they see unity, when they see representatives of the institute near them and when the information campaign is available at any time on the website, it is available in post offices, she also said.
Vesela Karaivanova recommended, since there are expressed concerns, that an information brochure be created, which describes the similarities and differences in the leva and euro banknotes, since the denominations are almost the same in color and size and this may make it difficult for some people.
Karaivanova also recalled that the National Social Security Institute manages nearly 28 billion leva, of which 24 billion and 100 million are the expenses for pensions of 2 million and 56 thousand pensioners.
Behind this statistic are the fates of our parents, their dignified working life, guaranteed by pension income when the risk of old age occurs. The fates of mothers who give birth and raise their children and are sure that the National Social Security Institute, through its administration and policies, will ensure the timely and lawful payment of their benefits, Karaivanova also said. That is why the NSSI is part of the national campaign of the state, of the government for the introduction of the euro, she emphasized.
That is why we, with our 28 territorial divisions and 53 outsourced jobs, are so active, that is why the group we have selected as a priority is the elderly, placed in homes, she added.
The Governor of the NSSI explained that activities related to the transition to the euro began back in 2020, when the management of the institute, in its presentations and concepts for the governor and deputy governor, outlined the introduction of the euro as a major, key moment for the institution as a whole. This was also the concept that Vessela Karaivanova further developed in her concept before the National Assembly with the idea of this large-scale information campaign in nursing homes and open reception areas, both in regional divisions and in all centers, the non-governmental sector, homes where there is care, where there is an opportunity for us to be heard and for people's fears and hesitations about what is happening with payments to be minimized and completely removed.