One-time cash supplement for 353,448 pensioners in FBiH in August

(Patria) - The FBiH Government at today's telephone session, upon the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, adopted a Decree on a one-time cash supplement to pensions as support for pensioners of the Federal Pension and Disability Insurance Institute.

This decree regulates the payment of a one-time cash supplement to pension beneficiaries of the Federal PDI Institute who have residence in the territory of BiH, the purpose of the decree, categories of beneficiaries of the cash supplement to pensions, the amount of the cash supplement to pensions, exceptions to payment, and the timeframe for payment of the cash supplement to pensions.

The goal of the one-time cash supplement to pensions is to improve the material position of pension beneficiaries who exercise their rights with the insurance holder of the Federation of BiH, and the total funds for implementing this decree will be secured from the FBiH Budget for 2025.

The one-time cash supplement will be paid to pensioners who are recorded as receiving a pension on the day the Decree enters into force.

The right to the highest amount of the one-time supplement of 250 KM is held by all pension beneficiaries who exercise the right to the lowest pension in the Federation of BiH, which currently amounts to 599.28 KM, as well as beneficiaries to whom, in accordance with Article 82 of the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance, the difference up to the amount of the lowest pension is paid.

From the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, they clarify that this category also includes pensioners who have a proportional pension with another BiH entity, and whose total pension is less than the amount of the lowest pension in the Federation of BiH. These are, among others, most often returnees who have accrued service in both BiH entities.

From the Ministry, they state that in this way, the Government of the Federation of BiH clearly confirms its commitment to directing aid primarily to the most vulnerable categories of pensioners.

The Decree adopted today stipulates that the amount of 200 KM of the one-time cash supplement is intended for beneficiaries whose pension ranges from 599.29 KM to 800 KM, 150 KM for beneficiaries whose pension ranges from 800.01 KM to 1,000 KM, and 100 KM for beneficiaries whose pension ranges from 1,000.01 KM to 1,500 KM.

The one-time cash supplement to the pension is considered a pension income within the meaning of Article 125, paragraph (1) of the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance and is an integral part of the pension for July 2025. From the Ministry, they clarify that accordingly, the supplement will be paid in August for 353,448 pensioners.

This extraordinary measure, as explained by the Ministry, aims to mitigate the negative effects of inflation and strengthen the social security of pensioners, with a special focus on the most vulnerable categories.

They add that the Government of the Federation of BiH, through these measures, confirms that it remains consistent in protecting the most vulnerable categories of the population, but simultaneously emphasizes that pressures on the pension system cannot be resolved in the long term through one-time interventions.

Taking into account all relevant indicators, it is emphasized that systemic changes are the only path to a sustainable pension system. Therefore, in parallel with extraordinary measures, active work will be done on amendments to the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance, through which systemic stability and fairness will be further regulated, for both current and future pensioners.

From the Ministry, they state that demographic recovery, the fight against the gray economy, amendments to the set of fiscal laws, and strengthening the labor market represent interconnected challenges that the Government of the Federation of BiH addresses in a coordinated, thoughtful, and responsible manner.

This one-time cash supplement is, as stated by the Ministry, an expression of concrete care and sensitivity towards pensioners today, but also a hint that work is being done on solutions that will ensure a dignified old age for all future generations.