The relevant Greek minister reiterated that primary pensions will be “fully” protected, whereas “if supplementary pensions must be cut, the government will make sure that low- and medium-income pensioners are not affected.”
Social Insurances Minister Giorgos Katrougalos made the statement during an appearance on a television newscast on Wednesday evening, as closely watched negotiations between the Greek government and the “quartet” of institutional creditors continues this week in Athens.
He also said one of the creditors, the IMF, is more negatively disposed to the issue of social security contributions, i.e. the leftist government wants to raise the percentage of contributions paid each month into the system by wage-earners and employers, the fund apparently believes the measure will lead to a bigger off-the-books economy.
