Pensioners will receive an annual supplement to their pension in December, with this year's amount set at seven euros for each full year of recognised pensionable service. The Government adopted the decision on this amount on 21 October, whereas last year the supplement was six euros per year of service. 260 million euros has been allocated for the payment, and the average supplement is expected to amount to 208 euros.
The supplement amount is calculated by multiplying the full years of pensionable service by seven euros. Thus, a pensioner with 20 years of service will receive 140 euros, with 25 years 175 euros, with 30 years 210 euros, with 35 years 245 euros, with 40 years 280 euros, and with 45 years of service 315 euros. Only full years of service are counted, so a person with 32 years and eight months of recognised service will receive 224 euros.
The amount of the regular pension does not affect the size of the supplement. Two pensioners with the same number of recognised years of service will receive the same supplement, even if they receive different monthly pensions. Under the rules of the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO), the years of service on which the pension is based are taken into account, which may include regular insurance service, service with extended duration, as well as special, additional and added service.
For survivor's pensions, the supplement is determined based on the service of the deceased person on which the pension was calculated. For recipients of disability pensions due to a work injury or occupational disease, 40 years of service are generally taken into account, and if they have a longer actual completed service, that service is also considered. For pensions not determined based on years of pensionable service, a calculation based on 15 years is prescribed, in which case the supplement amounts to 105 euros.
The annual supplement is due to recipients of old-age, early old-age, disability and survivor's pensions, and includes recipients of pensions acquired under special regulations. No application is required for the payment, as the HZMO will calculate and pay the supplement automatically, without issuing a specific decision. Payment is scheduled for December 2026, but the exact date has not yet been announced.
The supplement is not taxed and is protected from enforcement, and is not included in the income test for the right to supplementary health insurance at the state's expense. The annual supplement is often referred to as the 13th pension, but it is not another full monthly pension, but a separate annual payment that was permanently introduced in 2025. The Government determines the amount of the supplement per year of service each year, so this year's increase from six to seven euros does not mean that the supplement will automatically rise in 2027. The Government will decide again on the amount for the following year, and the decision must be made by 31 October at the latest under the law.
