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Pension reform: Government proposes 50% hike and 12% penalty reduction

In-Cyprus · 2026-08-19

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The Cypriot government proposed a pension reform that includes a 50% increase in minimum pensions and a reduction of the 12% actuarial penalty for pensioners. • Why it matters: This reform is considered the most significant change to the pension system since 1980, aiming to improve the financial situation of local pensioners while ensuring the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund. • What to watch next: The implementation details of the reform, including the new contribution obligations for investment income and the transition period ending in 2031, will be closely monitored as they unfold.

Local pensionerspensionsTop News Pension reform: Government proposes 50% hike and 12% penalty reduction Mousiouttas Sintaxeis (1) Relevant News Pension reform: Government proposes 50% hike and 12% penalty reduction 19 August 2026 Christodoulides calls pension reform the biggest since 1980 19 August 2026 Great Sea Interconnector enters “decisive phase” with French involvement 19 August 2026 Angelos Angelodimou 19 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus’s pension reform includes increases in the minimum pension of up to 50% and a reduction in the 12% actuarial penalty, according to the framework presented at midday on Wednesday by the Labour Minister and his team to social partners. The presentation was made during a meeting of the Labour Advisory Body and was, according to reports, fairly detailed, including specific examples and answers to questions that had been raised over time. The biggest increases will go to those currently receiving the minimum pension. A pensioner currently receiving €436 under the existing system will receive €702 under the reform. One currently receiving €508 will receive €764, an increase of up to 50%. Among so-called higher earners, a pensioner currently receiving €2,129 will receive €2,168, while one receiving €2,540 will receive €2,580. Beyond the pension increases, a significant change also affects the 12% penalty. The 12% actuarial adjustment applied at age 63 will not be fully abolished, since doing so would affect the long-term sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund. Instead, relief will be granted covering half of the period, and not exceeding nine months, from the actuarial reduction applied to the basic pension amount. This will apply to all existing pensioners, as well as future pensioners who retire up to the final year of the transition period, in 2031. For these cases, the actuarial relief will apply for life. The increases will be funded by broadening the financing base and introducing a new contribution obligation for people with income from investments. This new requirement will apply to Cyprus or EU citizens, as well as third-country nationals covered by EU Regulation 883/2004, who are ordinarily resident in the government-controlled areas. It will apply up to the annual amount of basic insurable earnings, and only to those not already covered by another insurance obligation or equivalent credit. Income counted towards this obligation includes earnings from office or position, dividends, interest, rent, intellectual property or patent royalties, fees and other profits derived from property. For employees who are also shareholders in the company they work for, dividends received from that company will count towards their earnings under this rule. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Christodoulides calls pension reform the biggest since 1980 Great Sea Interconnector enters “decisive phase” with French involvement Strovolos to close two roads for resurfacing works next week Dry rivers flow again after August storms hit parts of Cyprus Occupied north IVF clinic rejects BBC report on donor mix-ups Heading out to hunt while the mercury’s still climbing Averof, my old teacher… How the attack on DISY and AKEL blew up in his own face Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.

Source: In-Cyprus
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