Mugoša: Increase of pensions by 20%, support for beneficiaries of proportional pensions and introduction of social pensions

SD Vice President Boris Mugoša and a candidate on the Zajedno coalition list presented a set of measures to improve the position of pensioners, which are foreseen in the election program of the said coalition.
The first measure refers to the increase of most pensions by 20%, while the increase of pensions above the state average by 10% is foreseen. All of the above implies a further increase in minimum pensions, which will amount to 350 euros.
The second measure refers to users of so-called proportional pensions. Improving the unenviable position of the majority of the beneficiaries of these pensions implies more adequate legal recognition of this category of pensioners, which will enable the total amount of proportional parts to be no lower than the minimum pension.
Also, Mugoša points out that they proposed the introduction of the so-called social pensions for all citizens over the age of 67 who do not have a pension. The amount for an individual (single person) would be 70 percent of the lowest pension and 80 percent of the lowest pension for two family members (who are over 67 years old and are not entitled to pension-disability insurance).
The measures, according to the vice-president of the SD, also include the continuation of the project to build new collective housing facilities for the needs of pensioners who have not resolved their housing issue, because there are still hundreds of such pensioner families.
In addition to the above, and in the light of the growing needs for this type of service, the program of the Zajedno coalition foresees the creation of assumptions for the construction of three more homes for the elderly, in Podgorica, in the southern and northern regions of Montenegro; as well as enabling free bus and rail public transportation for pensioners and people over 67 years old.
According to Mugoš, one of the measures refers to the launch of the "senior card" service throughout Montenegro, in cooperation with the business community and through the partnership of the state and municipalities, which will enable all pensioners and persons over 67 years of age to receive discounts in health institutions, retail and catering facilities, cultural institutions...
The mentioned measures also include the development of support services for pensioners, through the strengthening of the geronto service and the provision of mobile teams for providing health and social protection to particularly vulnerable categories of the elderly (persons with disabilities, persons with dementia, etc.).
The candidate on the Zajedno coalition list concluded that during the period of drastic price growth, i.e. the cost of living, there was a lack of adequate support for a large number of pensioners, as well as that the funds for the mentioned measures provided for in the election program will be largely provided by the rationalization of certain existing budget expenditures (work contracts, consulting services, lease of facilities, official trips and representations, administrative material, etc.) and redirecting these funds to support pensioners.
M. J.