Pensioner rights and system stability in the Balkans

Pension systems and labor rights for retirees are facing legal and economic pressures in the Balkans. In Republika Srpska, a legal dispute emerged after the District Court in Prijedor overturned a Ministry of Labor decision, ruling that pensioners over the age of 65 maintain the right to establish new employment relationships. Despite this ruling, the Ministry continues to maintain its stance against such employment, a position pensioners describe as a “violation of the law.”

Broader economic challenges are also surfacing in the region. In Serbia, the government has introduced economic packages providing direct payments to pensioners and benefit recipients to assist with living costs. Recent developments indicate a scheduled 7.5 percent pension increase in Serbia for December 1, 2026, which is expected to raise the average pension to approximately 520 euros. However, experts have noted calls to better differentiate pension amounts based on years of service.

In Republika Srpska, demographic shifts have led to a situation where the number of pensioners has exceeded the number of active workers, creating a monthly deficit in contribution revenues. Legal expert Lana Jajčević noted that even those with successful careers struggle to live on current pensions, often requiring supplemental employment. To address financial insecurity, political candidate Zoran Savanović has proposed a systemic “13th pension” to provide year-round security rather than one-off aid. Meanwhile, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the Federal Institute for Pension and Disability Insurance has outlined procedures for unemployed individuals to purchase additional years of service to meet retirement requirements.