Designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu promises that pensions will increase in 2027, but he says he cannot specify by how much for now. He talks about a „prudent indexation of pensions” that takes into account the economic situation and Romania’s financial commitments.
In an interview given on Monday evening, on Antena 3, Niculescu recounted that before leaving home, he was approached by three pensioners from the neighborhood who asked for higher pensions.
"This morning, when I left home, three pensioners were waiting for me. In front of the house. I know everyone in the neighborhood, of course, to tell me about their problems. They don't talk about indexation. They say 'we want higher pensions because we have small pensions and we have worked our whole lives,'" said the designated Prime Minister.
Niculescu promised them that pensions will increase next year, without specifying a percentage. "I told them that next year there will be, I didn't tell them an indexation of pensions, I told them that pensions will be increased. I still can't say by how much," declared Luca Niculescu.
The designated Prime Minister explained that he uses the term "prudent indexation of pensions," but he believes that authorities need to find solutions to improve the standard of living without violating Romania's financial commitments.
Priority for low pensions
Luca Niculescu had stated in recent days that the future government program will include measures to increase pensioners' incomes, with a priority for those with low pensions, heavily affected by inflation. At that time, Niculescu did not specify what increases could be granted, who would benefit from them, or when they could come into effect.
The designated Prime Minister also emphasized on Monday evening the need to reduce social inequalities by using European funds more efficiently and improving tax collection.
He argued that the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) is functioning better this year than last year, but there are still significant opportunities to increase revenues collected in the budget.