International creditors want pension cuts, but most Greek pensioners are poor and over a quarter living under the poverty line.
Official figures showed that the number of Greek pensioners has dropped by 2,865 in February from 2,654,784. Pension payments totalled about 2,346,571,801 Euros in March to a total of 4,541,966 pensions out of which only 2,902,477 were basic and others were supplementary.
Alternate Social Insurance Minister Dimitris Stratoulis said 44.8% of pensions, some 1,189,396, were below the poverty level of 665 euros per month, while 60% of pensioners received 800 euros per month, excluding healthcare contributions.
Stratoulis said the majority of people with a disability pension received between 250-540 euros per month.
Other data that show the actual pension system situation in relation to benefits for pensioners, are:
- 85.6% of pensioners are over 61 years old.
- Old-age pensions – individuals over 61 years-amounts to 89.4%.
- The total number of pensioners in the country amounts to 2,654,784, decreased by 2,865 pensioners compared to the previous month.
- In March a total of 2.3 billion euros was paid in pensions.
- 1,286,180 million pensioners receive only one pension, while 954,322 receive two pensions and 334,914 pensioners receive three pensions.
- Four Greek pensioners who receive pensions from 10 different funds and 7 Greek pensioners who receive 9 different pensions.
The data above reveals the false information that was given to Greece’s lenders from the previous governments in order to achieve a reduction in wages and pensions
Source: Greek Reporter
