Pension rules may change with a new proposal that could reach Parliament and which foresees changes both in the age at which retirement can be accessed and in the maximum value of the highest pensions. At issue is an initiative announced by Chega, which advocates changes to the current pension system and the way in which some retirement income is allocated.
According to the news agency, the party led by André Ventura intends for any worker to be able to retire after reaching 40 years of Social Security discounts, regardless of age. In parallel, Chega once again defends setting the legal retirement age at 65 years.
Proposed changes to retirement age
The announcement was made at a press conference held in Lisbon, where André Ventura argued that the objective is to make the system fairer for those who have had long contributory careers.
The party leader maintained that the proposal does not intend to eliminate the retirement age or compromise the sustainability of the system. The measure occurs at a stage in which discussions are taking place about changes to labor legislation and social protection, topics that have marked the political debate in recent weeks.
Limit for the highest pensions
Another of the announced proposals involves the creation of a maximum ceiling for higher value pensions. According to the same source, Chega intends that no pension exceeds 4,500 euros per month.
The measure is justified by the party with the need to reduce differences between the amounts paid to retirees. During the presentation of the proposal, André Ventura said that there are currently pensions worth much higher than the national average, considering that this situation must be reviewed.
Arguments presented by the party
When explaining the initiative, the president of Chega pointed out examples of former political leaders who receive high pensions, arguing that the system must be reconsidered in light of existing disparities. The proposal also includes salary limitations in Public Administration. According to the same source, the party argues that no public servant should earn a salary higher than that of the prime minister.
In addition to changes to the retirement system, Chega wants to encourage citizens to reinforce their retirement savings through complementary mechanisms. The initiative provides tax benefits for those who choose to invest in retirement savings plans or other private instruments designed to complement future income. The party considers that these mechanisms can act as a reinforcement of financial protection after the end of active life.
What happens now
For now, this is a political proposal announced by Chega and which will still have to be discussed in Parliament. Any change to the current pension regime will depend on the approval of deputies and the respective legislative process.
The discussion promises to bring together topics such as the sustainability of Social Security, the retirement age and the distribution of income allocated to retirees. Issues that continue to generate divergent positions between the various parties and that should remain at the center of political debate in the coming months.
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