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Starting from January 1, 2025, pensioners in Romania who have severe or severe disabilities will benefit from a double pension called the monthly solidarity allowance, according to an emergency ordinance recently approved by the Government.
This measure comes as a solution to correct inequities in the pension system and to provide additional support to people with disabilities who are old age pensioners.
Why is this allowance necessary?
Over time, the recalculation of pensions has caused many complaints, especially among disabled pensioners. Many of them felt that the new pension decisions were deeply unfair, with values 60% to 80% lower than the original pensions. In order to respond to this situation, the Government introduced a solidarity coefficient intended to increase the pensions of these vulnerable categories.
How is the new solidarity coefficient calculated?
According to the amendments made to Law no. 448/2006 on the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, the solidarity coefficient will be applied monthly to the amount of the pension in payment and will be updated annually. The calculation formula takes into account:
- 100% of the inflation rate,
- 50% of the actual increase in average gross earnings.
Details of support points
The law also provides a point of support for each year of contributory contributions made under conditions of disability:
- 1 support point for each year of contribution in conditions of serious disability,
- 0.5 support points for each year of contribution under conditions of accentuated handicap.
These points will have a value equivalent to 0.125 of the Social Reference Indicator (ISR), which for the year 2024 is 594 lei, which means approximately 75 lei for each point.
What do these changes mean for disabled pensioners?
The new solidarity allowance will bring a gradual increase in the disability pension, but the total amount will depend on several factors, including the contribution period and the application of support points. An example calculation indicates that a pension of 1,281 lei will reach 2,613 lei, but this increase will be felt over several years. According to estimates, the annual indexation and the application of the solidarity coefficient will allow reaching the maximum value after about 10 years.
Exceptions and limitations of the new law
It is important to note that the provisions relating to support points only apply to future pensioners. Those already in payment will not benefit from these extra points, raising questions about the fairness of the new measure. In addition, the value of the support points, which is below the reference point level (VPR) of 81 lei, could reduce the positive financial impact for retirees with severe or severe disabilities.
Pension increases and the impact on purchasing power
Although pension increases through the solidarity coefficient and annual indexation will bring additional sums into pensioners’ accounts, inflation and rising living costs will continue to erode purchasing power. Simulations show that although the recalculated pension will reach the current level of pension in payment after 10 years, price increases will reduce the real benefit.
How will the new social benefits be distributed?
The National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection will manage the granting of solidarity allowances, based on the data provided by the National Public Pensions House. This ensures an efficient and uniform implementation of the new measure, with the aim of helping disabled pensioners to benefit from a fairer income.
What’s next for pensioners in Romania?
The recent and proposed legislative changes indicate a direction to improve the living conditions for pensioners in Romania, especially for the vulnerable categories. However, it remains to be seen how these measures will materialize and how effectively they will be applied in practice. It is clear that both decision-makers and the general public must remain vigilant to ensure that promises are kept and that pensions are correctly calculated and distributed.
Conclusion: The new measures proposed by the Romanian Government, including the introduction of the solidarity coefficient and the granting of support points, represent an important step in supporting pensioners with disabilities. However, in order to ensure a dignified life for them, a correct implementation and adaptation of policies to economic reality is essential.
Source: www.doctorulzilei.ro
