Thousands of pensioners without a bonus in January, Ministry of Economy: The scheme will be revised

Around 12% of the country’s 762,740 pensioners were left outside the monthly bonus scheme in January, according to official data. Specifically, 672,982 pensioners received the bonus, while nearly 90,000 others were not included in the scheme.

According to the figures, more than 36,000 citizens with pensions above 40,000 lekë did not qualify for the benefit. This group is joined by around 54,000 other pensioners who were excluded due to the criteria and ceilings set by the current scheme.

How the scheme works

The 1,800 lekë monthly bonus is granted to urban pensioners with full years of service who receive no more than 40,000 lekë per month in pension. Urban pensioners with partial pensions receive 800 lekë, provided their pension does not exceed 22,000 lekë.

For rural pensions, the 1,000 lekë bonus is conditioned on a ceiling of 18,000 lekë per month. However, the application of this limit has created situations where the benefit is partial. For example, a rural pensioner receiving 17,500 lekë benefits from only 500 lekë in bonus, since the full benefit would exceed the 18,000 lekë ceiling set by the government.

Of those who received the January payment, only 33% obtained the maximum bonus of 1,800 lekë, while the rest received lower amounts.

Review of the scheme in 2027

If the scheme remains unchanged, the number of pensioners excluded from the benefit is expected to increase in 2027, as the monthly bonus amount is projected to double.

In an official response to Report TV, the Ministry of Economy stated that the scheme will be subject to review as part of the analysis of social policies and social insurance reform.

According to the Ministry, the compensation scheme will continue to apply to pensions up to 40,000 lekë per month, while the specific benefit brackets and compensation levels may be revised depending on

inflation trends,

the financial sustainability of the scheme,

recommendations from international experts.

Meanwhile, the government has also planned the year-end bonus for pensioners, which is expected to be included in the package of acts to be approved during the autumn of this year.

“KORÇA BOOM”