site.btaLabour and Social Policy Ministry Suggests Increase of Age, Length of Service for Retirement by Two Months as of 2015

Labour and Social Policy Ministry Suggests
Increase of Age, Length of Service for Retirement by
Two Months as of 2015


Sofia, December 9 (BTA) - The Labour and Social Policy Ministry
has suggested to increase the retirement age and length of
service by two months as of next year, Deputy Labour and Social
Policy Minister Nikolai Nikolov said Tuesday. Deputy Prime
Minister in charge of demographic and social policy and Labour
and Social Policy Minister Ivailo Klafin held a news conference
to present his team and the priorities. In Kalfin's team Nikolov
will be in charge of the issues relating to the pension system.


Nikolov said that the option to increase the retirement age by
two months is smoother than the increase in the existing
legislation which is four months. He also said the the newly
suggested increase provides an opportunity for equalizing the
retirement age for men and women and "does not burden an entire
generation with huge problems".

Kalfin said the proposal will be moved by Monday. Before that,
maximum consent will be sought with the social partners and MPs
from all parliamentary groups in a bid to solve the problems in
the pension system long-term and win back trust in it.

Proposals are also considered for people about to reach
retirement age but who are still short of it to be able to
retire early but with a reduced amount of the pension, by 0.4
pet cent for each month. The early retirement option will be
twelve months ahead of time, Kalfin said.

The Minister said he will have four deputies.

Nikolov will be in charge of stabilizing the pension system and
the reforms in it. Zornitsa Roussinova will oversee the affairs
related to EU funds, European integration and international
relations. Lazar Lazarov will oversee social assistance while
Gulub Donev, the labour market.

The priorities of Kalfin's Ministry include steps for long-term
solution to the problems in the pension system and tackling
youth and long-term unemployment. PK /ZH/

/СН/