Romanian Defense Min Assures Most Military Pensions Will Not Be Cut Through Recalculation

Oprea said the increase will not be significant, but added, however, that any increase is important in times like these. He added the decrease in military pensions will not be significant either.

Oprea pointed out that keeping military pensions at the current level is the result of changes in the calculation base of these pensions, which includes all income earned by military staff, namely, bonuses, indemnities and certain compensations that haven’t been considered so far when calculating military pensions.

But for these changes in the calculation base, the minister stressed, military pensions would have been cut by 19% up to 69%. He also pointed out the recalculation of military pensions is in favor of military retirees who, he added, will only have to fill out an application form for the recalculation and the competent bodies will further fill out the income certificates.

Also, he said survivors’ benefits for invalidity established on the basis of Law 80/1995 will not be recalculated, adding the indemnities and bonuses cashed by war veterans and the widows of war veterans will not be recalculated either.

According to the minster, bonuses, indemnities, certain compensations and military specializations are the ones making the difference between various categories of income.

Oprea also thanked President Traian Basescu, Prime Minister Emil Boc and fellow lawmakers from all parties for their support and for all measures favoring military retirees.