Retirees see no benefit from 2026 increases amid inflation

Planned salary and pension increases for 2026 are causing concern among Tunisian retirees and recipients of low pensions, who report not experiencing any real benefit from the raises. This situation is occurring amidst rising inflation and increased prices.

Professor Badr Samawi, a specialist in social protection systems, explained on Express Fm that the general 5% increase applied to pensions is often neutralized for the most vulnerable categories. For pensions co-financed by the state, an increase in the base pension can lead to a reduction in the public contribution, resulting in a final amount that remains virtually unchanged for the beneficiary. This mechanism primarily affects holders of small pensions, often supplemented by social programs.

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a large part of those concerned claims not to perceive any real effect of these increases, in a context marked by inflation and rising prices.

Samawi noted that the effects of these increases vary by pension scheme. Retirees affiliated with the National Social Security Fund received their increases in January 2026, with back payments. However, other schemes, such as those for self-employed workers, artists, and creators, are implementing the revaluation from April 2026. Some low-income categories, including small artisans, farmers, and domestic workers, will not benefit until 2027.

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although legally coherent, this mechanism does not meet the social challenge of improving purchasing power.

The specialist also highlighted persistent structural shortcomings in the social protection system. He cited the case of Tunisians residing abroad who voluntarily affiliate with social security; their pensions should be revised based on the cost of living according to 1989 legislation, but no decree has been published. Similarly, victims of work accidents and occupational diseases in the public sector, whose pension revisions are mandated by a 1995 law linked to the evolution of the minimum wage, cannot benefit due to a lack of regulatory text.

Samawi stressed that the primary issue is not solely the 5% increase rate but the acceleration of inflation and the rising prices of basic goods, which significantly diminish the real impact on purchasing power. He called for a revision of revaluation mechanisms to better target low-income categories and enhance social justice.

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the main problem lies not only in the rate of increase, set at 5%, but in the acceleration of inflation and the rise in prices of basic goods, which strongly reduce the real impact on purchasing power.