ZAGREB, Dec 14, 2020 - The Croatian Pension Insurance Fund (HZMO) will start accepting applications by elderly persons for the right to a national pension as of tomorrow, and about 20,000 beneficiaries who will receive HRK 800 per month are expected next year, Minister Josip Aladrovic said on Monday.
The law on a national allowance for the elderly, which enters into force on 1 January 2021, provides for an income for Croatian citizens over the age of 65 who have not secured an old age income and are not entitled to a pension.
The allowance will be paid by the HZMO through commercial banks, and first payments will be made in February 2021 for January 2021.
The national allowance for the elderly will cover the most vulnerable part of the population, Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Minister Josip Aladrovic told reporters ahead of a government session.
The estimated cost in the state budget is HRK 132 million, and we have ensured that much for 2021, he said.
It will be possible to submit an application for the national allowance in person at a regional HZMO office, by mail or online through the e-Citizen system.
Aladrovic said that the target group were elderly citizens who did not have enough years of insurance and who were not covered by the social welfare system for some reason.
Those are citizens who have more than 20 years of uninterrupted residence in the Republic of Croatia, fewer than 15 years of pensionable service and who are over 65 years of age, he said.
