SIF

Republic to simplify widowhood pension process for Turkish Cypriots

by
Republic to simplify widowhood pension process for Turkish Cypriots

Labour Minister Yannis Panagiotou discussed measures to support Turkish Cypriots, including the distribution of widowhood pensions to eligible spouses of Turkish Cypriots who contributed to the Social Insurance Fund. The Ministry of Labour is simplifying the application process by allowing married Turkish Cypriot contributors to submit a joint affidavit. Additionally, vocational training programs in Turkish are being offered between May and December 2024 to equip up to 1,000 Turkish Cypriots with green and digital skills.

No need to raise retirement age says minister

by
No need to raise retirement age says minister

The social insurance fund (SIF) in Cyprus is financially viable until at least the year 2080, based on an actuarial study outlined by Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou. The study found that the fund’s revenues are sufficient to cover annual increases in spending on pensions, and the reserves of the SIF are at satisfactory levels. The analysis determined that it is not necessary to raise the retirement age until the next review in 2025. The International Labour Organisation recommended diversifying the SIF’s investment portfolio and gradually altering its investment policy. The review’s findings will serve as a baseline for the planned pension reform of 2025.

State pension fund reaching critical levels

by
State pension fund reaching critical levels

The Fiscal Council has warned that state borrowing from the Social Insurance Fund has reached critical levels, with the government owing over €10 billion to the fund. This borrowing threatens public finances and could lead to pressure on the state budget. The Council suggests reducing the state’s debt to the fund and revising the investment policy to achieve higher returns. The study also recommends increasing the percentage of assets invested in non-government securities to diversify the portfolio.