Higher pensions for Romanians who worked before 2001

Individuals in Romania who contributed to the supplementary pension fund before April 1, 2001, are now eligible for an increased pension score under the new public pension law, Law No. 360/2023. This provision, detailed in Article 143, aims to recognize past contributions and integrate them into the current pension calculation system.

The "supplementary pension" itself is not a separate second pension but rather a mechanism that affects the overall pension score. Contributions made under the old system result in a boosted monthly pension score. These additional points are then added to the total score used to determine the final pension amount. The law specifies different percentage increases for contributions of 2%, 3%, or 5%, varying by the period the contributions were made.

For those who contributed 4%, the law provides higher increase percentages, but these are applicable only to specific periods. Therefore, simply having worked before 2001 is insufficient; a detailed analysis of the contribution period is necessary. The relevant period for these past contributions is up to March 31, 2001, as the new public pension system took effect on April 1, 2001.

The law outlines specific percentage increases for different contribution periods: 16% for January 1, 1967, to December 31, 1972; 13% for January 1, 1973, to December 31, 1977; 14% for January 1, 1978, to June 30, 1986; 21% for July 1, 1986, to October 31, 1990; and 15% for November 1, 1990, to March 31, 2001. This detailed breakdown ensures that individuals can accurately assess their potential pension increase based on their specific contribution history.