So You Live on One Pension: Latvia's Law Enforcement Officials Are Being Targeted 0 7

“Currently,” states the document signed by him, which is being reviewed by the government today, “there is a constructive discussion in the Ministry of Defense and the National Armed Forces on how to responsibly improve the pension system for service years and prevent possible duplication while simultaneously being in some other state service/job that grants rights to a pension for service years, and... receiving a state pension for service years.”

For the Loss of "Competitiveness"

In the National Armed Forces (NAF) of Latvia, the right to a pension for service years (izdienas pensija) is granted to military personnel who have a total military service of at least 20 calendar years. Accordingly, these can be quite young individuals around the age of 45, who can very well start a new career.

Here is what the Satversme Court decided on this matter:

“All pensions for service years can be conditionally divided into three groups:

1. pensions for service years, established primarily to compensate for the premature loss of professional capacity, namely pensions for service years for artists;

2. pensions for service years, established mainly to compensate for additional limitations and burdens established during service, as well as to promote the quality of the activities of the relevant services and structures, especially in the anti-corruption aspect, however not related to the necessity for the respective individuals to retire early, namely, pensions for service years for judges and diplomats;

3. pensions for service years, determined by all three of the above-mentioned purposes, namely pensions for service years for military personnel, employees of the State Security Service, employees of the internal affairs system with special service ranks, and prosecutors.”

The Ministry of Defense also notes in the document that for former military personnel, “the pension for service years serves as support so that, after the end of service and the beginning of a civilian career, a military person could, within their capabilities, maintain the quality of life they had, if they have to work in a less-paid job in the civilian sector.” “That is, the pension for service years is essentially compensation for the lost competitiveness in the civilian labor market during service.”

And Will You Add for Rations?

“We would like to point out,” the military department continues, “that simultaneously receiving a pension for service years and continuing service creates significant risks:

• The basis for maintaining the pension system for service years as such is lost, as it thus turns into an additional payment to the monthly salary;

• The military personnel receives mutually exclusive social guarantees from the state — salary, ration compensation, housing compensation, and pension for service years.

• The recipient of the pension for service years — military personnel pays a reduced social tax and after the end of service will no longer have the right to claim unemployment benefits.

“The pension system for military personnel is unique,” the Ministry of Defense states.

Indeed, this is the only department where the pension is not linked to age in any way. And, with various coefficients (participation in international missions!), it can be obtained even after just over 15 calendar years. According to the department's calculations, only for this category of former soldiers, numbering about 2000, approximately 18 million euros will be needed per year, considering that each will receive about 1000 euros.

So far, the Ministry of Defense has not given direct instructions to terminate pensions for service years — but is “constantly monitoring” the system, and once again emphasizes that “in general, NAF soldiers strive to serve as long as possible.”