Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin says a proposed reform that would increase the retirement age for military personnel and special-status public servants is necessary because the current legal framework, adopted in 1993, no longer reflects present-day realities.
Speaking on 24 June, the minister said the draft law is currently undergoing the inter-agency approval process and could still be amended.
“This is a modernised process adjusted to current circumstances and realities. The draft law is now in the approval stage and will undergo a number of improvements. At this point, we are talking about maintaining the overall service requirement of 25 years, while introducing for the first time an age condition for exercising the right to a pension. This age is set at 45 years, and the draft provides predictability by ensuring that any increase in this age requirement will take place gradually over a ten-year period,” Misail-Nichitin said.
The minister noted that certain special-purpose units, particularly those operating in high-risk environments, would be exempt from the gradual increase in retirement age.
“The draft also includes a number of exceptions. I am referring to special-purpose entities. We are talking about the 45-year threshold, which will not increase for this category, or about categories that will be exempt from the gradual age increase. The proposal also offers benefits by simplifying procedures for remaining in special-status public service for those who meet all three eligibility conditions. It also creates opportunities for employees who wish to continue their activity after the current age limits established by special legislation — 50 years for non-commissioned officers and 55 years for officers. These limits would increase to 55 and 60 years respectively. As I said from the beginning, the draft is still under review and may undergo changes,” she added.
Under the proposed rules, the minimum service period required to qualify for a pension would increase to 20 years, compared with the current requirement of 12 years and six months.
The special pension system covers around 23,000 beneficiaries from six institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Security and Intelligence Service (SIS), the State Protection and Guard Service (SPPS), the National Anticorruption Centre (CNA), and the National Penitentiary Administration.