Service pension combined with state salary, cut to 15%. The bill has passed the Senate

People who receive service pensions or military state pensions and choose to continue working in a public institution may receive only 15% of their pension value for the entire duration of their employment. This concerns a Government-initiated bill that passed the Senate tacitly on Wednesday, without being debated or voted upon, as the deadline set for adoption had already expired on 28 July. The final decision will be made by the Chamber of Deputies.

The notice regarding tacit adoption was announced in plenary by the President of the Senate, Mircea Abrudean.

The purpose of the measure is to eliminate the possibility of simultaneously drawing two full incomes paid from public funds. In practice, those who receive a service or military pension and wish to continue working in the public sector would be required to accept an 85% reduction in their pension for as long as they remain employed. The restriction does not apply to pensioners working in the private sector.

Civil servants could remain in employment until the age of 70

Civil servants who wish to continue working after meeting the conditions for retirement will be required to submit a request at least 30 days before reaching that point.

The extension of employment may be approved annually by the head of the institution, up to the age of 70.

The bill also introduces a maximum limit of six years for the suspension of the service relationship in the case of employees working in European Union institutions or international organisations. The authors explain this rule by the need to avoid the long-term blocking of positions within the public sector.

Transitional provisions are also included, relating to the conclusion of ongoing secondments, the completion of already initiated procedures, and the carrying out of transfers strictly in the interest of the institution.

Selection examinations in reorganised institutions

When a reorganisation involves the dismissal of certain employees, institutions will be obliged to notify those serving their notice period of any vacant public posts suited to their professional background.

If several civil servants are eligible for the same post, the institution may organise a selection examination, in which case the notice period is suspended until the process is concluded.

USR Senator Violeta Alexandru described the tacit adoption of the bill as "a disservice", whilst PNL Senator Maria Horga accused PSD of having "blocked" the initiative, arguing that the party "has an allergy to reforms".