The Foundation for the Defence of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) has requested clarifications from the National Pensions Office (CNPP) regarding the recalculation of pensions in the context of the new provisions of Law no. 360/2023 on the public pension system. The official data provided by the CNPP indicate that 21% of the revision requests were resolved in favour of pensioners, thereby confirming the existence of significant errors in the recalculation process.
The FACIAS perspective is that each pensioner is entitled to a correctly calculated pension that accurately reflects their professional endeavours and contributions throughout their working lives. In an official response received by FACIAS from the National Pension Pension Office, it was stated that up to 27 August 2024, 4,600,734 decisions to recalculate pensions had been issued in accordance with the provisions of Law 360/2023. Concurrently, the National Pension Office acknowledges that precise data regarding the number of pensioners who have actually received the recalculation decisions is unavailable, given that the distribution of the relevant documents only commenced on 19 August 2024, via the Romanian Post Office.
Furthermore, 49,000 pensioners sought elucidation regarding the decisions they had received, and 13,600 requests for review were submitted by pensioners who contested the rectitude of these decisions at the county pension offices. Of these, 2,853 applications were successful, indicating that approximately 21% of the revised pensions were initially erroneous.
The FACIAS highlights the impact of these errors on the lives and financial stability of pensioners, particularly those who are most vulnerable. It is the responsibility of the state to guarantee a fair and transparent recalculation process, and pensioners should not be placed in a position where they are compelled to challenge decisions made by the National Pension Office that they believe to be erroneous.
FACIAS is providing support to pensioners who have been adversely affected by pension reform and is offering them a comprehensive guide to assist them in applying for the recalculation of their pensions. In Romania, many pensioners are reliant on a minimum pension of just 1,125 lei, which is insufficient for a decent standard of living, particularly given the rising costs of healthcare and basic necessities.
The FACIAS position is that all pensioners are entitled to a correctly calculated pension and that the state has a responsibility to ensure that they enjoy a dignified old age. This should be achieved without placing undue burdens on pensioners, such as having to navigate the complexities of Romanian bureaucracy or having to seek assistance from multiple institutions to assert their rights.
Full guide on how to apply for recalculation of pensions can be found here.