Pensioners' groups in North Macedonia demand linear pension increase be regulated by law

Pensioners' associations in North Macedonia have renewed calls to make the pre-election promise of a flat, equal pension increase permanent by enshrining it in law. The demand follows a return, after the elections, to the existing statutory indexation model for pension adjustments.

What a linear increase would mean

Before the elections politicians pledged a linear increase in pensions — a one-off or recurring raise that gives every pensioner the same additional amount regardless of the size of their current pension. After the vote, lawmakers reverted to adjusting pensions through the legal indexation mechanism tied to formulas already in force.

Representatives of pensioners' groups argue the linear rise should not remain a temporary or merely electoral promise but must be regulated by statute so it cannot be rescinded or limited by future administrations.

Analysts and officials warn there are fiscal and legal hurdles to enacting a permanent flat increase: sustained equal top-ups raise long-term budgetary obligations and could clash with the principled aims of indexation designed to protect purchasing power across different pension levels.

The issue was discussed on the broadcast titled "Crvena linija s.7. e.4" today at 16:15 (17 Sept '26), and the debate revived public interest about whether parliament can realistically reintroduce a legislated linear increase.

"POLL: Should the linear increase of pensions be regulated by law? Yes / No"

Photo: press material from the event