Pensioners to get RSD 5,000 each before New Year

Pensioners will be paid cash assistance in the amount of between RSD 5,000 and 7,000 before the New Year. As Blic learns unofficially, negotiations are in progress at the Ministry of Finance with the delegation of the International Monetary Fund, with the payment as one of its topics, considering that the authorities believe that the state budget allows for making this idea a reality.

According to the newspaper, it has been determined that the payment is realistic and won't upset the system, that is, that the results at the end of the year will be such that it will be possible to pay a certain sum to the pensioners, although the exact amount is yet to be specified.

However, as economist Ljubomir Madzar says, even though cash assistance is feasible, it's not certain that all economic parameters support it.

– There's been a surplus, but it's short-term in nature and shouldn't fool us. The state budget is overstretched and we are still financially unstable – Madzar believes.

He adds that it is too early to talk about increasing salaries and pensions in the public sector.

– The announced cash assistance is also a kind of a burden on the budget. It could even create a habit or cause inertia. Also, I'm not sure if the IMF will like this decision, although it may be prepared to tolerate it – Madzar says.

From the society's perspective, he says, it's better to leave things as they are. – I'm aware that pensions are small and insufficient. I also know that it's hard to make ends meet with so little money. But I don't think this is a good time to make any changes – he concludes.

On the other hand, pensioners will welcome the assistance. Of course, this will also serve as a special kind of compensation for the lack of raises in education, healthcare, the police, the military...

Ministarstvo finansija Republike Srbije

Međunarodni monetarni fond-MMF Beograd

Vlada Republike Srbije

pensioners in Serbia

pensions in Serbia

cash assistance to pensioners

Ljubomir Madzar

raising salaries and pensions

IMF