Tomas: Pension Forecasts Working, Interest in Pensions Has Surged

Bratislava, 11 June (TASR) - The sending of pension forecasts to 3.4 million clients of state-owned social insurer Socialna poistovna (SP) has achieved its main objective by significantly increasing public interest in future pension entitlements, stated Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference, Tomas said that branches of SP were experiencing a substantial increase in visitors, while the number of users of the agency's electronic insured persons account and mobile application rose by tens of thousands in May. "People have understood that the pension forecast is useful because, in addition to providing information on the retirement age and estimates of future pension payments, it also allows them to find out whether all of their years of employment have been properly recorded," said Tomas. According to the minister, the agency sent pension forecasts to 3.4 million people, while approximately 135,000 recipients didn't collect their [registered letter] correspondence. Tomas urged younger people not to rush to visit Social Insurance Agency branches and to leave room for those aged over 50. "I'd like to ask everyone to remain calm, to arrange an appointment with SP and perhaps deal with the matter at a later date, so that there will be capacity for those aged 50 and above, because they are closer to retirement age," he said. The introduction of pension forecasts was approved by Parliament with the support of nearly all MPs present in the summer of 2023. SP will continue to send out pension forecasts in future years. Policyholders aged over 50 will receive them annually, while younger individuals will receive them once every five years. mf/df