Pensioners in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the RS entity, they can expect more money in their accounts from next month. Although there is no official confirmation yet, it is expected that pensions in that entity should be higher by about six percent.
This announcement comes as a result of the recorded lower rate of inflation and the growth of average wages in the RS during 2024, which are key factors for the adjustment of pensions.
Although this percentage on existing pensions and constant price increases does not mean much, the oldest population says – anything is better than nothing. Economists underline that the real increase should be three times higher.
Pensioners in the RS find it increasingly difficult to live – or, rather, to survive. The past year was also difficult for them, on the threshold of this year they hope for better days and an increase in their income, because they do not even have enough for basic living expenses. By the time they pay the bills and the medicine, they have almost nothing left.
And that’s exactly why pensioners demanded an increase in pensions last year. A promise came from the Government, and the exact amount will depend on the average salary and retail consumer prices.
“We would be satisfied if it were around six percent. As things develop during the year, if there is better economic activity and better revenues in the budget, we hope, expect and propose that pensions will be increased extraordinarily”, said Ratko Trifunović, president of the RS Pensioners’ Association.
The announced increase in pensions is miserable and negligible, according to economists – they say that these values should follow the real costs of living.
“Pensioners do not buy furniture, carpets, things that go into the basket from which the average inflation for the last year is calculated. If we look at the statistics, it says that inflation was 5.8 or 6 percent, by which pensions are adjusted. But, on the other hand, if we were to separate from that basket only things necessary for life, then the growth of pensions would have to be at least 20 percent”, says economic analyst Zoran Pavlović.
On the other hand, the PIO Fund boasts that in terms of achieved results and broken records, last year was the best ever for them. In December alone, more than 175 million marks in contributions were collected. From which pensioners, it seems, will not benefit.
“Pensions effectively grew by 91.67 percent, from around six percent, we expect between 5.8 and 6 percent increase – it will be 102-103 percent in the last 12 years,” points out Mladen Milić, director of the PIO RS Fund.
The lowest pension in the RS for pensioners with up to 15 years of service is 300 marks. The December average pension was 594 marks, and for full insurance service 889 marks – the highest paid in the same month was 3,228 marks, it says. Federalna.ba.
