How much do you need to earn today to receive a pension of 1000 euros net?

Have you ever thought about what income should be to live in old age, not just survive?

Culinary blogger Rojs Puke calculated on his social media how much one needs to earn now for a future pension to be at least 1000 euros net, and posed a question that concerns many residents of Latvia: who today earns 2100–2200 euros "on paper" (gross)?

Rojs Puke writes: "About pensions. A small calculation to have a pension of 1000 euros net...

For a pension from the first level to be 1000 euros per month, it is necessary:

salary "on paper": approximately 2100–2200 euros; salary "in hand": approximately 1500–1550 euros; social contributions to the first pension level: about 315 euros / month (15% of gross salary); work experience: about 40 full years (with 30-35 years, the pension will be lower — 800-900 euros).

I have a question: how many people in Latvia currently earn 2100–2200 euros gross and what professions do they represent?"

The post attracted the attention of social media users, who actively commented on it.

One participant in the discussion — a truck driver — shares the harsh reality of her profession. She admits that the salary is good, "in hand" it amounts to the same as others "on paper", but it comes at the cost of health, sleepless nights, and living away from family. Sometimes — up to 10 months a year, existing in a truck cabin of 4 m².

She sharply criticizes politicians and workers in some professions who complain about "difficult conditions" and demand early pensions.

"Try my job — then complain," she writes. She is outraged that, despite huge taxes, the government is also planning to raise the retirement age, forcing people to risk their lives behind the wheel.

Another commentator is skeptical about the future pension system: according to him, salaries of 2100–2200 euros "on paper" are mainly received by public sector employees and a small part of private sector workers. However, considering the aging population and the decrease in the number of taxpayers, even with a high official salary, future pensions may only be 400-500 euros net.

Another user writes: "Many don’t even have a subsistence minimum..."

Another woman shares her experience: "Aunt is applying for a pension. Experience — 45 years, calculated pension — 650 euros. I can’t believe my ears."

Another person writes about their experience: "25 years in Latvia — pension 200 euros. 12 years in the UK — pension 500 pounds sterling. This is my reality..."

One participant in the discussion notes: "It would be correct to consider the second pension level as well. And what prevents saving for the third?"

And here is a more optimistic comment: "2100–2200 is nothing special. It took me only 2 years of working in my profession to reach such a salary. I am now 26, earning around 5500 gross and above. Everything is possible."

And finally, another user teases: "59 years old. Experience — 40 years. Savings from levels 1+2 — 240 thousand euros, projected pension — 2350 gross."