Minimum pension thresholds set to rise

The social affairs and health ministry has sent out a request for statements on a government draft bill aimed at increasing the national and guaranteed pensions, said the ministry in a press release.

According to the proposal, the full amount of the national pension will be increased by 31 euros per month and the full amount of the guaranteed pension by 50 euros per month.

The government programme of Prime Minister Antti Rinne has pledged to spend 183 million euros per year on raising the minimum pension amounts.

According to the programme, the increase would see the minimum monthly pension rise to about 1,000 euros. According to the proposal, a total of about 609,000 pensioners will receive a small increase in their pension.

“We are delighted and proud to present a substantial increase of 50 euros to minimum pensions. This increase will go towards those who need most extra money in their day to day lives,” said Social Affairs and Health Minister Aino-Kaisa Pekonen.

The purpose of the draft bill is to secure the pensioners’ livelihood, reduce poverty and exclusion, and to achieve a more even distribution of income.