Moldova: Pension increase set for April 2025
Effective April 1, 2025, Moldovan pensioners and other beneficiaries will receive increased benefits.
The government has approved a 10% indexation of pensions and social benefits to offset recent price increases. Furthermore, all pensions will be increased by a fixed sum of 1.92 lei (€0.098).
The document states that the indexation applies to all pensions and benefits under Law No. 156/1998, the public pension system, and other specific legislation. The 10% indexation will only apply to the portion of the pension that is below the projected 2025 average monthly salary of 16,100 lei (~800€).
Key changes:
- The minimum retirement pension will rise to 3,055 lei (~150€);
- The average pension will increase to 4,407 lei (~200€);
- The minimum disability pension will range from 1,527 to 2,291 lei (from ~70€ to ~115€), depending on the severity of disability.
The purpose of the 1.92 lei increase:
In addition to the 10% indexation, the government has also approved a fixed increase of 1.92 lei for pensions calculated under Law No. 156/1998. This sum applies uniformly to all beneficiaries, regardless of the pension amount.
This fixed increase is mandated by legal provisions, requiring annual pension adjustments based on the average pension and the prior year's economic growth. In 2024, the gross domestic product grew by only 0.1%, leading to the establishment of a fixed increase of 1.92 lei.
"The current pension indexation mechanism includes two factors: inflation and economic growth. Due to near-zero economic growth (0.1%), following negative growth in the second, third, and fourth quarters, a fixed 1.92 lei increase is applied, in addition to the 10% indexation. For example, a 3,000 lei pension will see a 300 lei increase from the 10% indexation, plus the 1.92 lei," explained Sergiu Sainciuc, vice-president of the National Confederation of Trade Unions.
Authorities estimate implementation costs exceeding 2.6 billion lei, drawn from the state social insurance and general state budgets.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
