Bulgaria Raises Insurance Threshold but Keeps Pension Cap and Maternity Pay Steady

Bulgarian lawmakers have advanced the so-called small budgets, approving a rise in the maximum social insurance income threshold starting August 1, while leaving the pension cap and maternity pay unchanged.

In a parliamentary committee session on Tuesday, MPs passed the second reading of the state social insurance budget plan. The maximum insurance income threshold will increase, though the exact new figure was not detailed. The pension ceiling remains at 1,738 euros, and maternity leave benefits stay at 398 euros.

The decision has divided opinion: some argue the higher threshold boosts social security funding, while critics say frozen pensions and maternity pay hurt vulnerable groups.

The budgets still need full parliamentary approval before taking effect.

Article source: bulgaria-weekly.com | Image credit: Novinite.com