The churning of pensioners.
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing.
Date: 2024-11-20 14:27
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today's third question addressed the procedure for paying out pensions. The question from Member of the Riigikogu Vadim Belobrovtsev was directed to Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo, and the central theme was a plan to make a change so that if a pension payment date falls on a weekend, the pension would be paid on the following Monday or Tuesday. The aforementioned changes amount to four days per year and are justified by the need for budget development and IT solutions, although pensioners and many of them are accustomed to the current procedure. The projected savings shown by the office are 21,000 euros and directly affect approximately 325,000 pensioners, which drew significant criticism regarding the transparency of decision-making processes in the social protection sector and the impact on daily life.
The Minister responded that the term "trimming" signifies a large number of unexpected changes, and according to their assessment, the current pension payment dates remain legally required - to be paid within a calendar month, with the fifth day being the customary practice, and the current steps involve more IT investments and service quality. She emphasized that the planned savings are part of a broader order that includes a reform of the civil service and daily life, and the transition from SKAIS1 → SKAIS2 with the support of companies must take place by the end of 2025. It was also highlighted that while the development of IT solutions is discussed as a necessity, the law was not changed and pension payments must, for everyone, continue to operate in the customary manner, and potential disruptions will be communicated in advance if necessary. Millions and futuristic goals, including the SKAIS2 transition by 2025, were central.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made. The commission meeting focused on the context of defense, budget, and IT solutions, and no specific changes to the procedure for paying out pensions were adopted.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was Vadim Belobrovtsev (member of the Riigikogu). In defining his political position, it should be noted that he currently represents the image of "other" (the political spectrum is not directly defined in this context). He posed two essential clarifying and critical questions regarding the procedure for paying out pensions and drew attention to both funding and IT solutions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The third question today concerns the bullying of pensioners and is directed to the Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo; it is presented by Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev criticizes the plan to change the way pensions are paid, whereby if the fifth day falls on a weekend, the pension would be paid on the following Monday or Tuesday, four times a year, which would place the elderly in hardship and affect about 325,000 pensioners, although the savings are planned to be only about 21,000 euros, and he asks why pensioners are being treated like this.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker addresses the minister and makes a request.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo said that they would cut the headcount of the Social Insurance Board and of civil servants by 25% and carry out structural changes so that pension payments are made on time and resources are directed more effectively toward the development of national defense and the economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to pose a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev asked whether you take the prime minister's opinion seriously and will start doing something to solve the problem of pension payments before the new regime is established, or will you continue to cause discomfort to pensioners together with the Social Insurance Board.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo confirmed that the government will not take steps that would cause discomfort to vulnerable groups, and by the end of 2025 there is a plan to switch from SKAIS1 to SKAIS2 in IT development with the help of private companies, without changing the law and preserving the usual date for pension payments; if disruptions occur, they will be notified in advance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked everyone and then invited Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to speak next on the follow-up question.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Alexander Shaplogin claims that the government will start taxing pensions again, but in his view pensions should not be taxed, because a pension is a debt that the state repays to people for the taxes paid over their lifetimes.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo said that the pension income tax exemption has been restored and the monthly tax-free minimum is 776 euros (for those of working age 654 euros), pension growth has been the largest in the last 15 years—last year 17.6% and this year 10.6%—and according to forecasts the average old-age pension will reach about 937 euros by 2028, and in the following years it will grow by an average of about 5% per year.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks and declares the discussion of today's third question closed.