Pension benefits in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia see varied increases and new rules

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, wartime service between September 1991 and December 1995 is recognised as a special pension credit that counts double, but it requires the claimant’s explicit consent and is excluded for persons convicted of war crimes. In July 2024 the Federation raised the lowest pension to about 704 KM, amounting to an overall 17 % increase for 2026, though retirees say the rise does not keep pace with living costs. A new pension law will allow adjustments twice a year, aiming for more substantial improvements over time.

In Serbia, the International Monetary Fund’s latest report states that no extraordinary pension payments will be made this year, as the government has pledged to keep pension adjustments strictly within the statutory indexation mechanism. President Aleksandar Vučić, however, has promised a separate package that may include cheaper medicines, vouchers and one‑off cash aid, prompting debate over compliance with IMF commitments.

Comparative data show that retirees in the Republic of Srpska receive one‑off cash assistance of 120 KM for low earners and 80 KM for others – the second such distribution in five years. The Federation of BiH has also provided irregular one‑off payments ranging from 100 KM to 250 KM depending on pension level. Serbia has been the most generous, delivering multiple one‑off payments totalling over 1,000 KM per pensioner between 2020 and 2023, and its average pension has risen about 50 % (≈300 KM). Over recent years, average pensions have grown roughly 30 % in the Republic of Srpska (≈160 KM), 37 % in the Federation of BiH (≈230 KM), and 50 % in Serbia.