The threat of removal of early retirement, which always upsets the insured and especially mothers of children under 18 years of age, who were rescued from the insurance reform of Loverdos-Koutroumanis, resurfaced, with the report of the Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Social Inclusion, Laszlo Andor.

The Commissioner, speaking at Zappeio stated that the Commission recommends Member states to eliminate exceptions and increase age limits where appropriate. He acknowledged, however, that this effort has taken more time than planned.

In the medium-term program, the growth in the expansion of the age limit is highlighted, since provisions were not implemented with a “sudden death” style, but with transitional stages.

It is stated that “the time shift expected returns (850 million euro) from the increase in retirement age by two years and under performance of the equation of the salary-cap contributions have created discrepancies”.

According to the program, these deviations were covered by Vroutsis’ measures.

The government, however, has not pulled Stournaras’ older plan out of the file drawer yet, to abolish early retirement, partly because there is a commitment that there will not be any new measures and secondly, because the measure does not provide significant financial returns.

Specifically, it is estimated to yield 60 million savings in three years.