Moldova and Slovakia agree to aggregate pension insurance periods

Moldova and Slovakia have established a new social security agreement that allows citizens to aggregate insurance periods worked in both countries to qualify for pension benefits. The agreement, which replaces an outdated arrangement from the USSR and Czechoslovakia era, aims to assist individuals who may not meet the minimum 15-year insurance requirement in a single state.

Under the new mechanisms, if a person's accumulated insurance period in one country is insufficient to grant pension rights, the periods from the other country will be totaled to meet the eligibility threshold. This applies to old-age pensions, disability pensions, survivor pensions, and benefits resulting from occupational diseases or accidents.

Each state will calculate and pay the portion of the pension corresponding to the insurance periods completed within its own territory. Benefits can be paid directly to beneficiaries regardless of their country of residence. While the combined years help meet eligibility requirements, the amount paid by a specific state will only reflect the years worked within that state.