Macedonian Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski and Labour and Welfare Minister Dime Spasov held a press conference on Sunday to discuss the current and future increases in the retirement incomes and welfare payments. The two ministers said that they estimate some 335..000 citizens to benefit from the increase - 300.000 of them retirees, 30.000 welfare recipients and 5.000 people who use financial aid.

The first increase of about 10 EUR for each retiree will be calculated in the September retirement incomes, due on 5 October. "In October 2016 the retirement incomes will be increased again. We will also continue to increase payments for the most vulnerable categories of citizens, and we provide for a 10 percent increase in welfare payments, with an additional 5 percent increase beginning in June 2016", Stavreski told the press on Sunday, adding that the increase is fully provided for in the budget.

According to Stavreski, the budget is registering a good rate of inflows and outflows and can support this increase in spending. Spasov added that the Government has adopted the provided changes at its latest session.

"This year retirement incomes will increase by 5 percent in September. Cumulative increases in retirement incomes since 2006 have amounted to 70 percent. In July, welfare payments increased by 10 percent, bringing the cumulative increase from 2006 until 2015 to 61,8 percent", Spasov said.