Statistical data from the National Social Security Institute reveals exceptional interest in the mechanism for purchasing additional work experience among Bulgarian citizens. For the first quarter of 2025, a total of 420 people have taken actions to compensate for their missing insurance period, which represents the highest recorded indicator in the last eight years.
The financial value of this mass trend amounts to an impressive 8.3 million leva. The average duration of purchased work experience varies around two years, with legislation allowing a maximum period of five years.
The main catalyst for this process is the change in the minimum social security income, which was increased from 933 leva to 1077 leva on April 1, 2025. This correction was made when adopting the state budget for the current year.
According to the provisions of the Social Security Code, citizens have the opportunity to pay a contribution of 19.8% of the minimum social security income for each missing month of work experience. Specifically, from April 1, 2025, the value for one month amounts to 213.25 leva.
For a full annual compensation of missing work experience, the insured person must pay a total of 2,558.95 leva, while the maximum five-year period requires an investment of 12,794.76 leva.
Before introducing the new parameters, until the end of March, the price for purchasing one month of work experience was 184.73 leva. The annual equivalent amounted to 2,216.81 leva, and the five-year period could be acquired for 11,084.04 leva.
The key condition for using this option is that the person has reached retirement age but has not accumulated the necessary minimum insurance period. Legislation provides a maximum threshold of five years of additional work experience that can be purchased.
Comparative analysis of the data shows a significant increase compared to previous years: in 2022, 270 people bought work experience, in 2023 – 337 people, and in 2024 – 234 people.
This trend clearly illustrates the growing interest of Bulgarian citizens in alternative mechanisms for ensuring earlier retirement and compensating for missing insurance periods.