Pensioners
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing.
Date: 2025-06-11 16:34
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 16m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The discussion focused on the situation of pensioners and the tax and income policy of the last two years. Belobrovtsev presented a critical overview of the coalition's decisions concerning the reinstatement of the tax-free minimum for old-age pensioners (776 euros per month) and broader taxation (an increase in the income tax rate from 20% to 22% and the intention to raise it to 24% by 2026). The impact of the VAT increase on prices and the cost of living was also highlighted, affecting initially food, utilities, and medicines, and the mention of car tax as a new additional burden on older people and other vulnerable groups. Considerable emphasis remained on the continued security of pensioners' purchasing power and income, and the continuation of indexation. The other half of the focus was on the government: the prime minister confirmed the continuation of indexation and highlighted the maximum improvement in the purchasing power of pensions during the 2018 government's period, citing that pensions are growing and indexation continues, and expanded on future changes, including the impact of the phased income tax in 2026 on old-age pensioners. In addition, the discussion covered the shortage of labour and the role of immigration, the OSKA program, the role of education and artificial intelligence in increasing productivity, and how these areas may affect the financial stability of pensioners and the country's economy. The entire discussion concluded with the observation that no decisions were made and the focus was on clarifying the topics and presenting political viewpoints.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made. The discussion was informative and opinion-shaping in nature, focusing on an overview of the situation of pensioners and the impact of taxes (including a €776 per month tax-free minimum, the impact of VAT, indexing), and clarifying future policy; no specific action decisions or changes were approved.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Vadim Belobrovtsev (pid=uexmw3AlP24), a member of the Riigikogu; position: other.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev is submitting a question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal concerning pensioners.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev claims that over the past two years, the government has consistently delivered bad news to Estonian pensioners—the tax-free minimum for old-age pensioners has been reinstated at 776 euros per month, and any amount exceeding this is now taxed; income tax increased from 20% to 22% (with plans for 24% in 2026); furthermore, there is the VAT increase, the rising cost of groceries and other goods, and a new car tax, implemented without special concessions for vulnerable groups. The average old-age pension is approximately 817 euros, a portion of which is already subject to taxation. He also reminds us of the Reform Party's promise to raise pensions to 1,000 euros and questions what exactly the government has accomplished for pensioners over the last two years.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the indexation of pensions will continue and pensions will grow, noting that the ratio of the net old-age pension to the average net wage has increased to approximately 49–50% for 2024–2025 (up from 39% before 2018), and added that starting from the beginning of 2026, the tax-free minimum income will rise to 700 euros (776 euros per month for pensioners), specialist doctor visit fees will not increase, and medication benefits for old-age and incapacity-for-work pensioners will remain in place.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar called on Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev asserts that indexing is mandated by law and would have increased even without the Reform Party. He recalls the Centre Party's extraordinary pension hike and criticizes the government's current plans, citing Eurostat data showing that 55% of pension-aged people in Estonia are working. This, he argues, demonstrates the meager level of pensions and the burden of taxation, leading him to question whether pensioners in Estonia are truly living well.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that indexing must not be a tool for political games, and the Center Party is not planning to touch pensions. At the same time, he criticized Isamaa’s plan to liquidate the second pension pillar and use the money as current expenditure, seeing this as a major risk to the future pension system, and emphasizing that the purchasing power of pensioners has grown significantly over the last 27 years.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that Tõnis Lukas will ask an additional question.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
There is talk of a labor shortage and demographic challenges, reference is made to the Danish experience of a retirement age reaching 70, and the question is posed whether greater immigration is the solution. Furthermore, the need to improve the employment of seniors is emphasized so that dependence on immigration is reduced.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that, in order to secure future pensions and the sustainability of the state, Estonia must boost productivity and added value. This needs to be achieved through digitalization, the development of high-level skills, and the inclusion of controlled migration to satisfy workforce requirements.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman concludes the handling of today's eighth question, and before moving on to the ninth question, Vadim Belobrovtsev has a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev stated that he is not correcting the prime minister's words, and if the prime minister promises that indexation will continue, it rather indicates the influence of his predecessor.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that this cannot be considered a procedural question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev notes that they were promised taxes would not rise, but the opposite is being seen, and people are waiting to see if the Prime Minister will keep her word.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked them and said that the only thing that concerned procedural matters was the word "fear" and how a Member of Parliament feels in the chamber, but this cannot be considered a procedural question.