The pension will be increased by around Denar 550 for all pensioners as of February 2013. The government approved the proposal submitted by the Union of Associations of Pensioners for announced increase of pensions by 5% to refer to entire sum of paid pensions of the current month following linear allocation of funds.

Labour Minister Spiro Ristovski said that the decision was passed on union of pensioners' proposal which made a research in all pensioners' associations whereat members considered that this way of increase is more concrete and will help the low income pensioners whose number is around 180.000 in the country.

The increase of 5% will be realised after pensions will be coordinated with the growth in salaries and costs of living by which the pensions will increase by 2%. It would mean that the pensions will increase by 7%.

Mr. Ristovski said that the government will work on maintenance of the stable pension system and material safety of the citizens in old age and on time payment of raised pensions.

President of the Union of Associations of Pensioners Dragi Argirovski expressed satisfaction from the undertaken measure, especially in conditions of economic crisis.