Personal finance

The presidential decree has been published for the settlement of debts of up to 30,000 euros to the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA).

This means that all citizens who have debts of up to €30,000 will be able to retire, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced on Monday.

Savings in Greece have collapsed since 2002, especially private savings - i.e. by households and businesses - Eurobank argues in a special study on "Savings in Greece - Why We Don't Save," which was presented on Monday, with a deterioration of the savings rate observed in the five-year period 2018-2022.

At least 333.30 euros per month will be withheld from the pension of debtors to the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA), as long as they meet all the conditions and the pension decision is issued based on the recent legislation.

The scheduled increase in pensions from July 1 might be adjusted to 10% instead of the initially projected 11%, in line with the State Social Security budget for the current year. This potential alteration stems from the officially reported lower inflation rates compared to earlier forecasted estimates.

The registration of working pensioners on the special electronic platform of the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) has exceeded all expectations, already reaching 78,000, and is increasing by the day.

Peaceful island getaways, free from throngs of vacationers cramming streets and shores

A new incentive and reward system for public sector employees was presented by the Interior Minister Niki Kerameus and Deputy Interior Minister Vivi Charalampogianni during the Ministerial Council meeting Monday. 

The European Commission has referred the Greek state to the European Court because of its long-standing practice of paying off its commitments to its citizens and suppliers whenever it wishes. The cause is a long-term delay in paying the hospitals' commitments, which total 1.3 billion euros.

The sustainability of the social security system is considered assured until the distant 2070, according to a new study by the National Actuarial Authority submitted to the competent department of the European Commission.

In a recent decision made during an extraordinary budget and finance committee meeting, deputies opted to grant a BGN 100 supplement for Easter solely to pensioners whose pensions fall below the poverty line. This means that those receiving pensions above this threshold will not be eligible for the holiday supplement.