Romania Faces Scrutiny Over Special Pension System
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Controversy surrounds high-value pensions for magistrates and other officials as reform efforts stall.
By alexandra Popescu | BUCHAREST – 2025/06/15 22:59:49
Romania’s special pension system is under increased scrutiny as the total cost surpasses €2 billion. Critics argue that these funds could be better allocated to infrastructure projects, such as building 60 kilometers of highway, or to providing timely pension adjustments for low-income citizens.
the delay in disbursing funds for the “small recalculation” of pensions, initially expected in March, has further fueled public discontent.
Judicial Pensions Draw Ire
Proposed legislation aiming to reduce special pensions by 15% has sparked debate as magistrates prepare for retirement. The bill has passed the Chamber of Deputies and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
The pension is 80% of the salary for the last 4 years: 26,000 lei per month.
Recently, the Council of Magistracy approved the retirement of Mihaela-Florina Focică, a deputy of the Judicial Inspection. The decision now awaits formal approval from President Nicușor Dan.
Over the past few years, Focică’s declared income has been:
- 2023 – 460,000 lei
- 2022 – 412,000 lei
- 2021 – 306,000 lei
- Total: 1,178,000 lei
Her average monthly salary for the last three years amounts to 32,000 lei.Her pension is calculated at 80% of her average salary over the past four years, totaling 26,000 lei per month. Of this, only 7,000 lei is based on contributory payments.
The calculation of pensions is based on the income of the last four years.
State Burden
Special pensions consist of a contributory component (25%) supplemented by a 75% bonus from state funds.
At 53, Focică is retiring well before the standard retirement ages of 63 for women and 65 for men, a disparity not applicable to magistrates.
the failure to reform special pensions has resulted in significant financial losses for Romania. The proposed 15% reduction in special pensions and a change in the calculation formula-from 80% of the average salaries of the last 4 years to 60% of average revenue-are currently under debate in the Senate commissions.
Constitutional Court Pensions Highlighted
A report indicated that eight judges from the Constitutional Court (CCR) received nearly €1 million in special pensions in a single year. The average pension in Romania is 2,600 lei.
The special pensions of the CCR judges included:
- Marian Enache – 770,000 lei per year / pension of 64,000 lei per month
- Ciochina Mihaela – 600,000 lei per year / pension of 50,000 lei per month
- Cristian Deliorga – 825,000 lei per year / pension of 68,700 lei per month
- Bogdan Licu – 383,000 lei per year / pension of 32,000 lei per month
- Iulia Scânteie – 417,000 lei per year / pension of 34,500 lei per month
- Gheorghe Stan – 350,000 lei per year / pension of 30,000 lei per month
- Livia Stanciu – 1,800,000 lei per year / pension of 150,000 lei per month (some of the money was arrears)
- Varga Attila – 443,000 lei per year / pension of 37,000 lei per month
Frequently Asked Questions About Special Pensions
- What are special pensions?
- Special pensions are pensions granted to certain categories of employees under special laws that provide more favorable conditions than the general pension system.
- Who is eligible for special pensions in Romania?
- Categories include magistrates, diplomats, members of parliament, and other specific professions as defined by law.
- How are special pensions funded?
- Special pensions are funded thru a combination of contributory payments and state budget allocations.
- Why are special pensions controversial?
- they are controversial due to their high cost to the state budget and the perceived inequality compared to regular pensions.
- What reforms are being proposed for special pensions?
- Proposed reforms include reducing the pension amounts and changing the calculation formula to align them more closely with contributory payments.
