Pensions increase: This is the monthly bonus they are expected to receive

The Administrative Council of the Social Insurance Institute (ISSH) has approved the budget ceilings for the medium-term period 2026–2028.

According to the decision, the budget ceiling for 2026 reaches 204 billion lek, marking an increase of 11.7 billion lek compared to 2025.

If this increase is distributed proportionally among all beneficiaries, each pensioner would receive on average about 16,220 lek more per year, which translates into around 1,350 lek extra per month.

The latest ACSII statistics show that at the end of 2024 there were 721,398 pensioners in total.

Of these, 607,567 receive old-age pensions, 65,926 disability pensions, and 47,905 family pensions.

Average annual increase per pensioner: ≈ 11.7 billion ÷ 721,398 ≈ 16,220 lek/year (about 1,350 lek/month).

This monthly increase is less than the cost of a basic food basket, leaving the elderly once again facing the harsh reality of inflation and the cost of living.

Pensioners have long complained that their pensions are not even enough to cover basic medications, while for many of them this increase is merely symbolic.

This budgetary change does not respond to real needs. The pension increase is more of a figure on paper than a real benefit.

Under current market conditions, 1,350 lek per month does not even cover a week’s increase in food prices.

“KORÇA BOOM”