Inquiry Regarding the Coping of Pensioners (No. 726)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-05-05 22:11
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 56
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 7m
AI Summaries: 56/56 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item encompassed the debate regarding Riigikogu question №726 concerning the financial well-being of pensioners, touching upon both the stability of income and livelihood, as well as ongoing reforms in that area and their funding. The speaker was Riina Solman, who presented the question along with several sub-questions and questions from a third party (including Tõnis Lukas, Urmas Reinsalu, Aivar Kok and Andres Metsoja). In the initial introductory explanation, the poverty and impact of inflation on Estonian pensioners were highlighted, and reference was made to conclusions drawn from comparisons with the European Union and the UN regarding the indexing of pensions.
The respondent was the Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, from whom explanations were expected regarding the sustainability of indexing and plans relating to the cessation of indexing of the average pension. Additional topics that emerged included the long-term care reform and the availability of nursing home places for the average pension, the issues of advance directives and euthanasia, the inclusion of older people in the labor market, and the need for funding for the development of information systems to ensure the payment of pensions. The balance between taxes and expenditures in social policy was also discussed, along with the need for additional measures to improve the financial well-being of pensioners affected by inflation.
In conclusion, the agenda item involved a continued debate and considerable public interest, and during the discussion, it was emphasized that no concrete new political decisions were made, but rather responses were provided and the need for further work and accelerated IT developments to ensure the timely payment of pensions was highlighted.
Decisions Made 1
A response was given to the inquiry, clarifying that there are currently no plans to stop indexing pensions, and no preparations have been made to change it. No further decisions were made regarding this discussion; collaboration will continue, and there was emphasis on the need to accelerate further steps and IT developments to ensure the timely payment of pensions.
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart was the most active speaker (speech="_982niXL9oQ"), likely representing Isamaa or a larger right-wing coalition. Her remarks reflected criticism of the coalition’s tax policy and issues related to the well-being of pensioners, and she highlighted the need to prioritize human dignity and the transparency of the financing system, while also emphasizing suspicions and the transparency of orders related to corruption.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This speech describes the content of today’s fifth agenda item: the written question No. 726 on the livelihoods of pensioners submitted by Riina Solman, Tõnis Lukas, Urmas Reinsalu, Aivar Koka and Andres Metsoja, and Riina Solman is asked to present it.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman pointed out that poverty among Estonia's pensioners persists, and inflation affects them about 6% more strongly than other social groups, and although paying pensions is necessary and social protection accounts for 18.7% of GDP (the EU average is about 27%), an aging population and a decline in birth rates make the sustainability of funding more difficult, for which she submitted five parliamentary inquiry questions to the Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller thanks and asks the Minister of Social Affairs to answer Karmen Joller’s interpellation.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller confirmed that pension indexing will continue and that inflation will not change this objective, and that the share of social protection expenditures and pensions has grown together with care costs, she emphasized the voluntariness of the end-of-life directive and the protection of human dignity, and she confirmed that euthanasia is not permitted in Estonia and that the steps of the care reform are based on laws and needs, not slogans.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman invites questions and asks Anastasia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The briefing reveals that pensioners often live in poverty, and in the week before receiving their pension they have no means to eat, and starting this year, if the fifth day falls on a weekend, pensions are paid on Monday or Tuesday, which creates uncertainty because the entire payout system does not operate on time, and last year, out of 12 months, 11 payments did not occur on time, and the question is whether the government plans to invest further in information systems so that pensions reach recipients on time.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller stressed that in the event of pensioners' food shortages one should turn to a social worker and the local government, and that the outdated information system, which is planned to be upgraded, is causing delays in pensions, and this is one of the coalition negotiations' first priorities.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Vladimir Arhipov to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov spoke by way of an example about a group of elderly people who used to go to a cafe together with a pie and tea, but due to rising prices they can no longer manage to go as often, and he asked the minister what the government could do so that pensioners could again go to the cafe together and eat pies.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
The government is addressing people's concerns, for example the income tax relief for pensioners, and if there are difficulties in obtaining food, these should be discussed with a social worker; we listen to concerns, discuss them, and implement good ideas.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Helmen Kütti to speak.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt pointed out that although the prime minister stressed the need for IT development and investments to ensure the timely payment of pensions, about 80 pension payments were late in April and arrived only on April 11, and she asked whether €25 million is the amount with which the solutions will be put in order by 2026.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasized that finding a solution is a priority: first, funds will be found from our own resources; if that does not succeed, they will be requested from the government; the exact deadline for digital solutions is not yet known, but work is being done as quickly as possible, and this is her main priority, on which work has already begun with the Ministry of Finance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Heljo Pikhofi onto the stage.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof asks whether the Minister of Social Affairs shares the Reform Party's position that a nursing home place could be paid for with a pension, and whether people should leave their jobs if they are unable to care for an elderly person at home.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Speaking on the question of whether a nursing home place could be obtained for someone with the average pension, Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller said that in some nursing homes it is already available, the levels of co-payment have fallen from 81% to 51%, and about a thousand people have gained access to a nursing home, and although the reform will take time, its impact will be assessed by the end of next year and, if necessary, improvements will be made.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech begins with inviting Riina Solman onto the stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman raised the point that Parliament has not discussed euthanasia or assisted suicide, and at the same time highlighted the difficult job prospects for job seekers aged 55 and over, and asked about the state's plans to address these problems.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The message says that your time has come.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The interlocutor asks whether there is any attitudinal change planned through campaigns or notices.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller's speech was simply a word of thanks.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister Joller stressed that the topic of euthanasia and assisted suicide has not been discussed during his time in office and should be addressed more broadly in society, while he deemed it important to strengthen palliative care so that people would not feel inclined to find themselves in such a situation, and in his view involving older people in the labor market is important, because experience and wisdom, and sometimes digital skills, give them advantages.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller asks Lauri Läänemets to speak.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasizes that the rise in pensions is welcome, but the cost of living is rising and the lives of the elderly are getting harder, and since it is not possible to guarantee pension increases, he offers a sensible alternative – lowering the VAT on food – and asks the minister whether he would approve it.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Minister Karmen Joller said that pensions rose by 10% last year and inflation was 3.5%. Indexing will continue, but the issue of VAT on food remains within the realm of tax policy and is outside her remit to answer.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Arvo Aller, thanked, stated that there were no more questions, opened negotiations, and, as the representative of the inquirers, asked Riina Solman to take the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that the current government is creating insecurity for older people through tax increases and broken promises, and through cuts to the benefits for pensioners living in nursing homes, while Estonia's elderly income is the lowest in the EU and money is spent mainly on taxes, food, and consumer goods.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman asks whether more time is desired.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman gives a very short speech in which agreement and gratitude are expressed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy speaker Arvo Aller asked for three more minutes.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman notes that the coalition's tax increases and regional inequality are making life harder for pensioners and people with lower incomes and are forcing many to leave their homes, and she stresses the transparency of the state budget and the need to prioritize improving access to health care and social services before larger expenditures.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
A vice-chairman Arvo Aller gave the floor to Helmen Kütt, thanked the audience, and invited her to speak next.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt asks for three minutes of extra time right at the start.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller requests that three more minutes be added to the discussion.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt said that a technical fault in the Social Insurance Board's information system caused the late pension payments of nearly 100 pensioners and indicated a need for a five-year capital repair costing about 25 million euros so that payments to 800,000 people would be on time, referring to the promise made in the prime minister's press briefing to carry out the necessary IT developments and expressing hope that the situation will be better by 2026.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanked and invited Lauri Läänemetsa to speak, asking for three more minutes.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets found that, in order to improve the living standards of the elderly, the value-added tax on basic foodstuffs should be reduced to 9%, which would increase domestic consumption, help pensioners, and strengthen Estonian farmers and the economy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller thanks, asks Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti and requests extra time — three more minutes.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kolvart expresses strong criticism of the government's tax increases and the worsening of inequality, recalls the suffering of pensioners and other vulnerable people, and calls for humanity and for taking action to improve the situation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Your time has come.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech urged people not to let themselves be pushed around, to remember all of this until the next elections, and to make the right choice.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanks and invites Lauri Läänemetsa's rebuttal, since a party was mentioned.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets accuses the Centre Party of the loss of the second pension pillar and of price increases that threaten the finances of future pensioners and make life more expensive, and highlights Tallinn corruption cases involving Elena Glebova and the Tondiraba Ice Hall.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Now is your time.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets claims that the Centre Party is at the forefront of this danger, and that the problem should be tackled by the anti-corruption special committee, rather than turning a blind eye.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that he could not respond to the reply speech, and that the Centre Party and Isamaa were not mentioned, and he posed a procedural question about Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They note that although other factions have the right to respond, there are already people among the Social Democrats who have been convicted of involvement in corruption, which forces them to take a hard look at themselves.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Alleri's clarification: during the negotiations, when mentioning positions, the right of reply is allowed, but mentioning positions during the right of reply does not provide this option.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman clarified that Jüri Ratas has joined Isamaa, not the Social Democrats, and promised to reject Lauri Läänemetsa's criticism and provide a rebuttal regarding Isamaa’s initiative – allowing the second pillar to be free.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Questions and answers were not related to the procedures; the minister wanted a speaking podium during the negotiations, and answers had to be given from the podium.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller said that although it will take several years to improve SKAIS, the most important thing is to ensure the timely payment of pensions no later than the end of next year, and money can be found piecemeal; she is optimistic about the improvements, dismissed the Reform Party's accusations, and emphasized a humane approach, and reminded that pensions rose significantly in 2020.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
If the name Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti is mentioned, it is possible to deliver a counter-speech and two minutes have been allotted for it.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart accused the Tallinn City Government of corruption, highlighted decisions on the use of city funds related to family interests, and the appointment to councils of individuals connected to the suspicion, and called for an anti-corruption special committee to discuss these issues.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speaker thanks and asks Heljo Pikhof whether they have a procedural question.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof recalled that the indexing of pensions was a government decision in 2007, and as the chair of the Social Committee at the time, she remembered the first draft bill presented to the Riigikogu and said that Signe Riisalo could not oppose increasing pensions, because the indexing is behind it.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanked and noted that the minister did not mention Riina Solman, asked to remove the topic, closed the negotiations and ended the fifth item on the agenda, and announced that the parliamentary inquiry has been answered.