GOVERNMENT DECIDES ABOUT TWO INCREMENTS OF PENSIONS IN 2018…

The Cabinet of Ministers approved two extraordinary stages of raising retirement pensions and disability pensions in 2018. The increment will affect people who reached pension age in the period of 2012 through March 31, 2017.

Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Stela Grigoras announced at the Wednesday’s Government sitting that the stage of pension indexation for those who retired in 2012-2013 will start on April 1, while for those who retired in 2014 through March 31, 2017 – on October 1.

The retirement pension for 130.7 thousand citizens will be raised on average by 300 lei (US$17.4) per month, while for 21.2 of disability pension beneficiaries – by 280 lei (US$16.2). Initially, such a raising was planned to be conducted on April 1, 2019 and April 1, 2020.

Besides, the draft law proposes to regulate the provided right on pension on beneficial conditions.

…AND ABOUT SUPPORTING ACTIVE LIFESTYLE OF THE ELDERLY

The Government will take measures for supporting active lifestyle of the Moldova’s elderly. A corresponding action plan on implementing the principle of active aging for 2018-2021 was approved by the Cabinet of Minister on Wednesday.

The implementation of the proposed measures, according to the Government will contribute to integration of the elderly in the country’s social, economic and cultural life, including by means of a more active attraction of local authorities to providing the necessary support to this category of citizens.

Events, included in the Plan, are directed to improvement of living conditions and health of the elderly. At the same time, it is planned to attract this category of population to the labor market and creation of conditions for ensuring access to professional retraining for them.

During the document elaboration, its authors took into account the changes in the demographic process of population aging and the results of the previous Action plan and programs.

The plan sets a goal to raise the share of working pensioners to 13% from 10%, while the share of citizens aged 55-64 – to 41.4% from 17.4%. The goal should be achieved not later than 2021. Also, it is supposed to create possibilities for attracting pensioners to the volunteer work.

Expenditures, necessary for the implementation of the plan, will be covered from the state budget, as well as from funds, provided by development partners.