Velkovski: Pension rise should be 3–3.5%, exact amount to be announced next week

The Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Gjoko Velkovski, said the government will announce the size of the pension increase next week and that, based on current estimates, the rise should be between 3 and 3.5 percent.

Velkovski told a nightly news programme that officials are waiting for August to finish so they can finalise the parameters. "We are waiting for August to end and already next week we will have the parameters and will publish concrete figures, because they must be included in the payment of the September pension which will be collected on October 1," he said.

According to the minister, the upcoming adjustment will follow the existing provision in the Law on percentage increases for pensions, meaning there will be no return to the linear, flat-sum raises that were applied over the last two years — during which, he noted, pensions were increased by 7,000 denars.

Velkovski also left open the possibility of further measures, saying decisions on additional interventions will depend on how key indicators evolve. "Whether there will be additional interventions, according to policies and the dynamics of how certain parameters in the country move, decisions will be made additionally. The next (increase) is in March 2027. Until then I think there is time," he said.

The minister stressed that the concrete percentage and exact amounts will be announced once the calculations are complete so the increase can be applied to the pension paid for September and collected on October 1.

Earlier, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski answered reporters about a September rise by saying pensions will grow in line with the law. He warned that when the government previously opted for linear increases, some individuals encouraged by opposition parties filed a challenge with the Constitutional Court.

"Yes, that will be a regular leveling, an adjustment according to the law. As you know, there were initiatives by individuals, encouraged in the background by political parties, to bring the issue of linear increases in pensions before the Constitutional Court. To protect pensioners and pensions, further increases will be carried out according to the adjustments provided by law," the prime minister said.

Photo: Printskrin