**Taxpayer Foots €5.4 Million Bill for State Double Pensions**
In a revealing report presented by Accountant General Andreas Antoniades, it has come to light that 71 former state and elected officials in Cyprus are currently receiving multiple public pensions. Some individuals are entitled to as many as three pensions due to their service in various public roles. This situation has prompted a significant allocation in the state budget, with €5.4 million set aside this year to cover these pension payments.
The issue of multiple pensions arises from a provision in the 1997 pensions bill, which allows public sector employees to retire and assume new roles that are deemed incompatible with their previous positions. This provision permits them to qualify for a pension from their earlier service without meeting the typical five-year minimum requirement. Additionally, the cabinet has the discretion to award an extra pension at a level it considers equitable.
Among those receiving multiple pensions is President Nikos Christodoulides, who collects a monthly pension of €7,201 alongside his net monthly salary of €9,103. He also received a tax-free lump sum of €403,237 for serving one term. Other officials, such as House President Annita Demetriou, also benefit from this system. Demetriou receives a pension of €2,327 per month after one term, which increases to €4,117 after two terms.
Ministers, deputy ministers, and government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis receive pensions that start at €1,168 per month after 30 months in office, with potential increases to €3,358 for those who serve two full terms. Members of the House of Representatives and religious representatives start with a pension of €1,618 per month, which can rise to €4,449 after two terms, in addition to a net salary of €5,286 and a travel allowance of €685.
Independent commission members receive pensions that vary based on seniority and length of service, ranging from €1,407 to €2,058 monthly. The report also highlights that nearly €4 million has been disbursed in tax-free lump sums to 17 former MPs who either chose not to seek re-election or lost their seats in the May elections. Some of these former officials will also qualify for a pension once they reach the age of 60.
Recent legislative changes have raised the pension eligibility age for MPs and ministers to 65, which will apply to newly elected officials. This adjustment aims to address concerns regarding the sustainability of the pension system for public officials.
The multiple pension scenario raises questions about the fairness and sustainability of the current pension system. Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas is one such example of an official benefiting from multiple pensions, as he already receives a pension from his previous role as Nicosia's municipal secretary and will soon qualify for pensions from his time as an MP and eventually from his ministerial service.
Former leader of the Democratic Rally party, Averof Neofytou, is in a similar position, qualifying for a mayoral pension, an MP’s pension, and a ministerial pension. Notably, he has chosen to redirect his pension payments to charitable organizations, reflecting a personal commitment to philanthropy.
The findings presented by Antoniades have sparked discussions about the implications of such pension arrangements on public finances and the perceived equity of the pension system for public officials. As the government continues to navigate these complex issues, the allocation of taxpayer funds for multiple pensions remains a topic of scrutiny among citizens and policymakers alike.