Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise says that changing the pension payment date does not violate the law.
A person complained that pensioners' interests were not taken into account. However, the Chancellor of Justice found that the Social Insurance Board did not violate the rules.
The Social Insurance Board announced the change three months in advance. This gave pensioners time to adjust.
Pensions are paid monthly for the current month. The law does not state that pensions must be paid on the 5th of the month.
Previously, pensions were paid on the 5th of the month. If this was a weekend, they were paid on Friday. Starting in 2025, in such cases, pensions will be paid on Monday or Tuesday.
In 2025, the pension payment date will change in four months. In eight months, it will remain the same.
The Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu heard the explanation from the Social Insurance Board. The agency stated that pension payments are a complex process.
The pension payment process begins at the end of the month. Funds must be transferred to banks two days before the payment date. Sometimes, funds must be transferred as early as the 1st of the month.
Therefore, the agency cannot always pay pensions before the weekend.