Ministers Gasic and Vulin with military pensioners

According to him, the Government has started solving the problem since day one.

- It is a figure of 24 billion dinars. We did not take a loan, we spared. The state has come to our aid and helped you, because you are not to blame but the irresponsible policy of the then government - Gasic explained and announced that all the associations of pensioners in the near future will be located under the same roof, that is, at the Central Military Club.

Minister Vulin expressed his satisfaction for presenting the solution of the problem before the retired members.

- Your rights must be respected. There must be no pensioners of first and second order, and no differences based on the law. We had to wait for the Constitutional Court decisions, and we respected them for what they are. This Government and these Ministries are ready and determined to enforce the law to implement the in the case of military retirees as well as in relation to anyone else. You have spent all your life fighting for your country, having faith in it, and the country should treat you the same way. No one should doubt their country. This shows you that the state exists and keeps its word - Vulin said.

He clarified to the military retirees that the November pension, which is paid out in December, will be increased by as much as the Constitutional Court of Serbia has set. In December, the military pensioners will receive extraordinary adjustment and increase, and as of 1 January, a compensation in cash for the difference that had not been paid for all these years. Also, as of today, the Pension Fund will sent a proposal to all beneficiaries of military pensions to 57,000 addresses, their heirs and beneficiaries of survivor pensions to come into the nearest office of the Pension Fund so that an agreement is reached. It is necessary to give up the legal disputes with the state, if any. Those who are not in dispute, immediately sign an agreement on out of court settlement under which the money will be paid in one instalment from 1 January.

- The state has managed to find the strength and pay all in one instalment. Average debt to a military pensioner, depending on the amount of pension, is around 305,000 dinars. Of course, those who think it would pay off more to continue to pursue the litigation, it is their constitutional right and we will not argue it, but we cannot pay off the money immediately. The state did not take a loan or sold something; this is money from real sources that we saved and earned. In this way, the state saves as well, because it does not go into long court proceedings. Today is the day when we can all say that it is good to believe in one’s country - Minister Vulin said.

President of the Association Ljubomir Draganjac said that the decision has some good solutions, but noted that there are few that remain problematic.

- In general, the decision is acceptable. We have waited eight years, and for most military retirees there are good and less good solutions. It is important that the issue is finally resolved, and it is possible for each of us to say and decide whether we accept this solution or not. According to my estimate, it should be accepted, and is especially good for people who have not initiated court proceedings. According to our data, about 30,000 military pensioners have initiated a court procedure. However, it remains controversial that for the increase of 11.06 per cent of the value of points was not calculated at 9.40 and 9.02, but the increase amount to 6.85 per cent – Draganjac said.