71 former officials receive multiple public pensions, figures show
State budget data show 71 former state and elected officials receive more than one public pension, while 26 serving officials receive pensions alongside salaries.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Seventy-one former state and elected officials are receiving more than one public pension, with some entitled to as many as three after holding different public roles, according to figures presented by Accountant General Andreas Antoniades.
The state budget for this year allocates €5.4 million for pensions paid to current and former officials, while 26 serving officials receive a monthly pension in addition to their salaries and allowances.
Pension provisions
The entitlement derives from the 1997 pensions bill, which allows public sector employees to retire when taking up a role incompatible with their existing position and to receive a pension for earlier service without meeting the usual five-year minimum requirement.
An additional pension may also be granted at a level considered fair by the cabinet.
Payments to serving officials
Figures presented by Antoniades to Alpha TV showed that President Nikos Christodoulides receives a monthly pension of €7,201, alongside a net monthly salary of €9,103 and a tax-free lump sum of €403,237 for one term.
House president Annita Demetriou receives €2,327 a month after one term, rising to €4,117 after two terms.
Ministers, deputy ministers and government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis receive pensions starting at €1,168 a month after 30 months in office, rising to €3,358 after two full terms.
MPs and commission members
MPs and religious representatives receive pensions starting at €1,618 a month and rising to €4,449 after two terms, in addition to a net salary of €5,286 and a travel allowance of €685.
Members of independent commissions receive pensions ranging from €1,407 to €2,058 a month, depending on seniority and length of service.
Almost €4 million has been paid in tax-free lump sums to 17 former MPs who either did not seek re-election or lost their seats in May. Some are also eligible for a pension when they reach 60.
A recent legislative change raised the pension eligibility age for MPs and ministers to 65, applying to the newly elected House.
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