economy

In the bill submitted to the Parliament, there are also provisions that specify the arrangements for debts to social security agencies.

The measures in question are part of the wider package of measures presented by the government's economic staff last month and are aimed at supporting society from the imported inflationary crisis that continues.

Support of 200-300 euros for pensioners with a personal difference

Particularly:

A one-off financial aid of 200-300 euros is established for pensioners who, due to a personal difference, benefited little or not at all from the 7.75% increase that came into force on January 1, 2023. The aid covers all pensioners with a personal difference and with main pension benefits up to 1,600 euros per month, i.e. 1,112,000 pensioners. The aid is scaled based on the amount of pension paid and the personal difference. In this context:

Pensioners who did not see the 7.75% increase at all due to the personal difference and receive a main pension of up to 1,100 euros will receive an emergency aid of 300 euros.

Pensioners who did not see the 7.75% increase at all due to the personal difference and receive a main pension of more than 1,100 to 1,600 euros per month or saw a smaller increase (up to 3.49%) and receive a main pension will receive an extraordinary support of 250 euros up to 1,100 euros.

Pensioners who saw an increase of up to 3.49% and receive a main pension of more than €1,100 up to €1,600 or an increase of 3.5% up to 6.99% and receive a main pension of up to €1,100 will receive an extraordinary €200 boost.

The extraordinary financial aid is paid until March 31, 2023. It is tax-free, inalienable and non-seizable in the hands of the State or third parties. It is not tied to and is not set off against confirmed debts to public bodies, is not counted against the income limits for the payment of any social or welfare benefit and is not subject to any fee, levy or other withholding in favor of the State or EFKA.

New framework for debt arrangements to social security agencies

At the same time, a new framework for debt arrangements to social security agencies is established, taking into account the new difficulties caused to debtors after the coronavirus pandemic, the energy crisis and the significant increase in inflation. The provisions of this new framework are fully aligned with those provided for debts to the Tax Office.

Specifically:

For those who have lost their insurance arrangements of 120 or 72 installments by February 1, 2023, it is possible to revive them by paying two monthly installments covering the two oldest installments due until July 31, 2023. The installments that have been lost are carried forward, with interest , at the end of the setting.

The revival is done by the debtor's application submitted until July 31, 2023, as long as the debts have not been subject to after the loss of the arrangement and before the entry into force of this legislative provision: a) to a debt arrangement within the extrajudicial mechanism of Law 4469 /2017 or, b) in debt settlement of Law 4738/2020 ("second chance"). In addition, the debtor must not have any other overdue and unsettled debts to EFKA. If he has other overdue debts, the revival of the arrangement takes place on the condition that they have been subjected to an arrangement that is observed.

Revival takes place with all the benefits and obligations of the lost arrangement, e.g. granting proof of awareness, suspension of the continuation of the forced execution procedure on the debts that are regulated, etc.

With another provision, it is provided that debts to social security bodies (except TEKA) relating to employment periods from September 2021 to December 2022 and which have become overdue, can be subject to a partial payment arrangement of 36 to 72 installments, with the corresponding interest rate in force in the fixed setting of 24 doses. This new arrangement can also include debts that are included in serviced - on February 1, 2023 - permanent arrangements, as long as these arrangements include, exclusively, debts created during the above periods of employment (September 2021 to December 2022). Debtors who have overdue debts to EFKA who have not been subject to a regulation that is observed cannot make use of the new scheme.

The debtor's application for inclusion in the regulation is also submitted in this case until July 31, 2023. The inclusion is done by paying the first installment until the last working day of the month of submission of the application. Subsequent installments are paid by the last working day of each month following payment of the first installment. With the from