Stratoulis: Gov't Guarantees Pensions

Speaking to ANA-MPA WebTV on Monday Alternate Social Insurance Minister Dimitris Stratoulis said that if any difficulties arise on the issue of pensions, the Leftist government has a plan to deal with them as well as the sufficient financing. At the same time he confirmed that the restitution of previous losses on pensions are going to be "gradual and based on the numbers of economic recovery."

Asked on how social securities' revenues will increase, he replied:

     "The coffers of the social security funds will be boosted if our plan for economic recovery, the restart of the economy succeeds, which we believe it will."

Stratoulis noted that the ministry already has a list of big debtors to social security funds and will publish them. However, he stressed that the main thing is to use all legal and political means to collect these debts.

Regarding the administration of social security funds, he said:

     "Changes will be made, but on time, because our priority is to stop the destruction of pensions and the plans for new pension reductions and the retirement age increase as of 1/1/2015 provided by the memorandum legislation."