Greece restores widows' pensions to 70% of the deceased's earnings

The Greek Parliament voted on 21 July 2026 to repeal the pension cuts imposed by Law 4387/2016 (the Tsipras‑Katragoulas law). The amendment ends the reduction of survivor pensions after three years, restoring the entitlement to 70 % of the deceased worker’s pension rather than the reduced 35 %.

Around 8 500 public‑sector pensioners will see their survivor pension double when the September payment is made at the end of August. About 75 000 private‑sector beneficiaries will retain the 70 % rate and are exempt from any retroactive claims. Roughly 122 000 retirees who receive two national pensions will be protected from the cut to the second pension. Orphan children who have lost both parents will receive a full national pension instead of half, effectively doubling their benefit.

The government stresses that no retroactive payments will be made for the reductions applied since 2020. Minister of Labour and Social Security Niki Kerameos described the reform as “correcting a ten‑year social injustice” affecting thousands of families.