Minister of Labour: pensions to increase from January 2027, plus Christmas bonus for three categories of pensioners

The Minister of Labour, Florin Manole, stated on Wednesday, on Antena 3 CNN, that pensions will be increased from 1 January 2027, with the percentage currently resulting from legal calculations standing at 7.3%.

He noted, however, that this figure should not be regarded as a firm government commitment, as the final percentage will be determined through budget negotiations. Additionally, pensioners with incomes of up to 3,000 RON will receive in December the second instalment of the financial assistance granted through the solidarity package.

"With certainty, yes" – pensions to rise from 1 January

When asked directly whether pensions would be increased at the beginning of next year, Florin Manole replied: "With certainty, yes."

Regarding the exact percentage, the minister explained that the proposal he will submit to the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister will depend on the available statistical data and budget discussions: "The percentage I will send to the Finance Minister and Prime Minister will be the one that results, within the framework of budget discussions, from the statistical figures we will have available."

When asked what percentage he would propose if he had to submit the document immediately, Manole indicated a figure of 7.3%: "If I had to send it tomorrow, I would have to send 7.3%." He cautioned, however, that this figure does not represent a final decision: "I don't want 7.3% to be understood as a commitment from the Government or the Social Democratic Party."

When asked whether the increase was a personal wish, the minister replied: "No, it's the law."

Criticism of the pension freeze: "We need to make savings elsewhere"

Florin Manole acknowledged that the pension increase must also be viewed in light of budgetary constraints, but argued that the savings required to meet fiscal commitments should not come at pensioners' expense.

"It's not just about convincing people here. I want to be as collegial as possible. It's also about the fact that I understand there is a need to stay within the constraints of the fiscal-budgetary pact," the minister stated.

He added: "But I believe we need to achieve this through different kinds of savings than those made at pensioners' expense. Because we are honouring our commitments, but not again by putting pressure on pensioners after 2 years during which pensions have not been increased."

Manole recalled that pensions had seen significant increases in previous years, but stressed that pensioners' current income levels remain low. Referring to the evolution of the minimum pension, he said: "In 2017, the minimum pension was around 560 RON, I believe. Ten years have passed, the increase is 250%, yet inflation has not been 250%."

According to the minister, the authorities have tried to grant the largest possible increases whenever the economic situation has allowed: "I don't want to say I want something between these figures – it's too much, I certainly don't want to say that. What I do want to say is that whenever we could, the increases were as large as they could be."

The December payment: three income thresholds for pensioners

The Minister of Labour confirmed the payment of the second instalment of financial support for low-income pensioners, as part of the solidarity package included in the budget law passed at the beginning of the year.

"This is the second part of the project we included in the budget law at the beginning of this year. The much-discussed and controversial solidarity package, where we at the Social Democratic Party introduced this support for pensioners," said Florin Manole.

He specified that the measure covers three categories of recipients, based on income: "There are three income thresholds and three levels of support for each of these categories. Up to 1,500 RON, up to 2,000 RON, up to 3,000 RON."

• Pensioners with incomes of up to 1,500 RON: payment of 500 RON
• Pensioners with incomes between 1,500 and 2,000 RON: payment of 400 RON
• Pensioners with incomes between 2,000 and 3,000 RON: payment of 300 RON

"It was merely an inadequate sticking plaster"

Florin Manole acknowledged that the financial support granted to pensioners is a limited measure that cannot replace a permanent pension increase: "It's just a sticking plaster, it was merely an inadequate sticking plaster. It's a minimal holiday bonus, one could say. And it was insufficient."