Moldova increases pensions by 10% starting April 1
The Moldovan government has approved a 10% indexation, effective April 1, for all types of pensions.
However, the adjustment will be applied only to the portion of the pension that does not exceed the projected average monthly salary of 16,100 lei (~800 euro) for the current year.
Minister of Labour and Social Protection Alexei Buzu stated that, during the tenure of the current government, the minimum pension has increased 2.5 times, while the average pension has nearly doubled. As of April 1, the minimum pension has risen from 1,188 lei to 3,055 lei, (~60 to 150 euro) while the average pension has grown from 2,255 lei to 4,407 lei (~100 to 225 euro).
“We will secure these resources. We do not commit to measures that we cannot implement. A significant portion of the necessary funds is already available. Since we initially planned for a 6.1% increase but indexed pensions by 10%, we now need to identify additional sources for the remaining 3.9 percentage points,” Buzu explained.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean highlighted that, over the past four years (since 2021), the minimum pension has grown from 1,088 lei to 3,055 lei (~60 to 150 euro) by 2025.
“This is an unprecedented increase. We acknowledge that it is still not enough, but I want to emphasize how much the government is doing to help Moldovan pensioners improve their standard of living. There is still much work to be done. We are aware that incomes remain low, but we have made progress,” the prime minister stated following the government meeting.
On February 25, President Maia Sandu signed amendments to the public pension system law, ensuring a guaranteed minimum pension of 3,300 lei for individuals who have contributed to the social insurance system for at least 40 years. This measure will take effect in May.
The pension indexation bill was passed in its first reading by 77 deputies during the February 27 plenary session. The draft legislation will now undergo further parliamentary review.
According to data from the National Social Insurance Company, there are currently 30,611 individuals in Moldova with at least 40 years of contributions whose pensions remain below 3,300 lei.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
