DPO Budget 2026: Main Parameters
Parliament gave the green light at the first reading to the draft budget of the State Public Insurance (DPO). The financial framework amounts to 15.2 billion euros, with a significant portion of the funds – 13.5 billion euros – allocated for pension payments.
"The project fully guarantees the social rights of the people and ensures regular payments," stated Minister of Labor and Social Policy Natalia Efremova.
Key Social Indicators:
- Pension growth: 7.8%
- Social pension: 183 euros
- Minimum pension: 347 euros
- Average pension: 543 euros
- Maximum pension: 1738 euros
Debates Regarding Insurance Thresholds
A major point of contention was the change in insurance thresholds (from a 620 euro minimum to a 2300 euro maximum). The opposition criticized the ruling coalition, arguing that the measures penalize the "white economy" instead of stimulating the fight against the grey sector. According to Martin Dimitrov (DB), there is a lack of impact assessment regarding regional development.
For his part, Asen Vasilev (PP) defended the necessity of keeping pensions above the poverty line, emphasizing that updating the thresholds is a mechanism for ensuring sustainability without increasing direct taxes.