Professional unions urge not to forget officers who served the state when increasing pensions in Lithuania

Lithuanian professional unions are calling on the government to ensure that former law enforcement officers are not overlooked in upcoming pension increases. While acknowledging the government's aim to boost retiree incomes, the unions stress that changes must extend beyond social insurance pensions.

"When the government talks about social justice and the need to ensure decent pensions for people, former officers cannot be left on the sidelines," said Kęstutis Pauliukas, chairman of the Lithuanian Road Transport Industry Trade Union (LRITĮPS). He highlighted that these individuals served the country for decades, risking their health and sometimes their lives, and that the state must remember its obligations to them beyond their active service.

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When the government talks about social justice and the need to ensure decent pensions for people, former officers cannot be left on the sidelines. These people served the country for decades, risking their health, and sometimes their lives. The state must remember its obligations to them not only when officers' service is needed.

The unions criticize the current indexing mechanism, stating it fails to address the problem. For instance, state pensions for officers and soldiers are set to increase by a mere 0.9% in 2026. This minimal rise, they argue, does not keep pace with the rising costs of living and inflation. Pauliukas pointed out that discussions about revising officers' pensions have been ongoing for years, and what is needed now are concrete political decisions, not further promises.

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0.9 percent increase is hard to call a real pension growth. Prices and living costs are growing at a completely different pace. The need to review officers' pensions has been discussed for years, so we no longer need another promise. Concrete political decisions are needed.

Vitalijus Jagminas, chairman of the Lithuanian State Security Department Employees' Trade Union (VAITĮPS), noted that an officer's pension currently falls short of 500 euros. He described this amount as more akin to a welfare payment than a social guarantee or motivational tool for individuals who dedicated 25 years or more to state service. Jagminas emphasized the high-risk nature of police work, where officers frequently face injuries and trauma, yet receive a pension that has remained largely stagnant for years.

Both LRITĮPS and VAITĮPS propose a comprehensive review of state pensions for officers and soldiers. They recommend evaluating these pensions against current living costs, addressing disparities in pensions granted at different times, assessing the adequacy of the indexing mechanism, and exploring possibilities for additional increases. The unions have expressed their readiness to participate in discussions to formulate specific solutions and necessary legislative amendments.

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An officer's pension currently does not even reach 500 euros. To me, this is more like a benefit than a social guarantee or a motivational tool for people who have served their country for 25 years or more. We must realize that the officer's profession is high-risk. These people risk their health or even their lives daily, often suffering various injuries or traumas. And for that, after finishing their service, they receive a 480 euro pension. Which, in essence, has not increased for several years.