The Labour Minister, Mihai Seitan, presented once more the arguments in favour of the new law, which levels the retirement age for both men and women, adjusts the pension reference value to the inflation rate and toughens the conditions for granting invalidity pensions. Staring 2030, the retirement age will be 65, irrespective of gender, this being justified by the progressive growth of life expectancy. Minister Seitan explains why the retirement age will be increased:

“As of 2015 until 2030, the retirement age for women will grow gradually, by four months per year, so as to reach 65 by 2030, for both men and women. The law also provides for an increased retirement age for those who enter the pension system from the military field, such as army, police and special services employees, who currently have the legal right to retire at the age of 55. The retirement age for this category of public employees has to reach 60 by 2030.’’

The army, police and special services employees will have to pay more to the social security budget as of 2011. About 10% of the special pensions might be slashed after recalculation, with the anticipated average decrease standing at 1,500 euros. Magistrates, airmen and diplomats will be among the most affected categories. As regards the pension’s reference value, Minister Seitan explained that keeping it at its current level of 45% of the gross average salary would only deepen the pension fund deficit and would trigger a dramatic decrease in the pensions’ level, on the medium term.

That’s the reason behind adjusting the reference value to the inflation rate. The new pension law is also aimed at clarifying the procedures under which invalidity pensions are granted. According to the authorities, a quarter of those 900 thousand people benefiting from such pensions have obtained them illegally, causing a financial damage of almost 400 million euros.