“Nearly at the end of the mandate of this government, the minimum pension was raised by a 100%, and the average – by 90%”, said the prime minister Sergey Stanishev during his visit of the Elderly healthcare centre in the district “Gorna Banya”.

The prime minister noted, that the government tries to increase pensions twice each year, and that this course of action will take place next year as well.

“During the last three years, we make attempts to make a “catch up” growth with pensions. They are still low, but we try to increase pensions far quicker than salaries in the real sector”, explained Stanishev.

The prime minister noted the raise of the Christmas pensions since the beginning of the mandate. For example, in 2005 they were 25 leva, in 2006 – 50 leva, in 2007 – 100 leva, and this year they will be 150 leva.

“The government’s attention to the elderly is expressed not only in pension raises, but also in the social services for older people. The government allocated 151 million leva for that purpose. The elderly of Bulgaria are not forgotten or useless”, concluded the prime minister.