After the presentation, the Seimas approved the change of the restrictions on the payment of state pensions



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Of the 122 voters, 118 voted in favor, 4 abstained and abstained.

It is also proposed to abolish the restriction on state pensions for those who receive social security benefits for sickness, maternity, paternity, childcare, vocational rehabilitation or unemployment.

Similarly, the draft amendment to the law proposes to repeal the provision of the Provisional Law on State Pensions for Researchers, which is in conflict with the Constitution of Lithuania and establishes to restrict the granting and payment of state pensions to researchers until they receive the additional insured income mentioned above.

It is also proposed to waive the restriction on the award and payment of the state pension of the president’s spouse with assured income.

Although the former Minister of Social Security and Labor Linas Kukuraitis expressed his support for the reforms to the State Pensions Law, the new ministers asked if conceptual solutions could be expected to cover the country’s pension system during this period of Government.

“We fully support it, because it also implements the ruling of the Constitutional Court (CC). At the same time, I would like to ask (…) there is a mixed situation regarding state pensions, which are often referred to as a livestock payment system. “Will this topic be discussed during this period, and when can serious conceptual discussions on this topic be expected?” He asked.

The new Minister of Social Security and Labor, Monika Navickienė, responded that such discussions would start during the preparation of the government’s action plan, adding that the approach to changing the pension system should be comprehensive.

“We will initiate such discussions by preparing a Government Action Plan. (…) I believe that any change in the pension system (…) is very sensitive and in accordance with the expectations of the population, so any change must be made very carefully. We will start with the debate, but we certainly see gaps in the current regulation, which is in the payment of state pensions, which we would try to close. But the approach must be complex, “he said.

Meanwhile, Mindaugas Puidokas, a member of the Labor Party faction, asked the minister to comment on whether the amendment to the law would not make regulated state pensions a second benefit for the same period of employment or service and would not violate the double principle. payment.

I would like to comment on the statement of the Department of the Seimas, which draws attention to the fact that state pensions for officers, soldiers, judges and scientists are awarded for years of service or work, which are also included in the period of pension insurance for which a social security pension is awarded. It is as if their state pensions are the second benefit for the same period of employment or service, and as a result (…) the payment of these benefits could violate the principle of double payment, ”he said.

Although Ms. Navickienė agreed that the pension system should be reviewed, she stated that in this case the CC’s decision should be executed.

“I agree that all systems need to be reviewed comprehensively, which is actually a long discussion and there should be a consistent discussion waiting for us. In this case, however, the decision of the CC must be enforced, and his recommendation is what we are implementing in this bill, ”he said.

According to preliminary calculations by the Ministry of Social Security and Labor, the implementation of the proposed changes in the draft law in 2021 will require around 780 thousand. euros from the state budget.

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