What happened: Many pensioners, especially those with large 'personal differences,' had been excluded from annual increases since 2023, leading to widespread disappointment.
What's happening now: The Prime Minister's recent announcement at the Thessaloniki International Fair outlined the government's plan to phase out the 'personal difference' and ensure universal increases. The measure's design is currently being finalized.
What's next:2026: The 'personal difference' will be reduced by 50%. All 2.6 million pensioners will receive an increase, ranging from 50% to 100% of the calculated annual adjustment, depending on the size of their remaining 'personal difference'. For example, a pensioner with a €1200 pension and a €200 personal difference, expecting a €30 increase, will see their pension rise by €15, with their personal difference halved to €100.2027: The 'personal difference' will be fully abolished. All pensioners will receive 100% of the annual increase without any restrictions, marking a complete normalization of pension adjustments.

Pensioners' Viewpoint: Initially, many pensioners with large personal differences felt disheartened, fearing continued exclusion. However, the clarification that all will receive increases, even if phased, has brought significant relief and a sense of fairness restored.
Government's Stance: The government views this as a critical step towards social justice and economic stability, demonstrating its commitment to supporting households while maintaining fiscal discipline. The phased approach reflects a careful balancing act of budgetary constraints and social welfare needs.
Economic Analysts: Experts anticipate a positive, albeit gradual, impact on the Greek economy through increased consumer spending. They highlight the importance of sustained fiscal performance to ensure the long-term viability of these benefits.

Universal Increases: All 2.6 million Greek pensioners will receive an increase in 2026, a first in recent years.
'Personal Difference' Abolition: The 'personal difference' will be reduced by 50% in 2026 and fully abolished by 2027.
Increase Mechanism: The increase amount will be tied to a formula based on GDP growth and inflation (e.g., approximately 2.35%).
Fiscal Cost: The measure is projected to cost €75 million in 2026, €135 million in 2027, €113 million in 2028, and €106 million in 2029.
Additional Benefits: Pensioners will also benefit from reductions in income tax rates.