From 50 to 65 years old, with a reduced pension: Romania adopts its magistrates' retirement reform
Romania has reformed its magistrates' retirement age and pension system, raising the retirement age and reducing pension amounts amid public budget concerns.
Romania's Constitutional Court has approved a reform to gradually raise the retirement age of magistrates from 50 to 65 years old and decrease their pensions, a decision protested by magistrates as discriminatory, given that similar reforms do not apply to other public sector employees like military staff and police. This reform is part of broader efforts by the newly elected liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan to restore fiscal order in the country.
The government, which came into power last June under a diverse coalition, is facing significant pressure to manage Romania's budget deficit, which is currently the highest in the European Union at 7.65% of GDP by the end of 2025βapproximately 146 billion euros. This fiscal challenge underscores the need for reforms aimed at reducing public expenditures and addressing social inequalities.
The controversy surrounding this reform highlights the tensions within the public sector, as some groups feel targeted while others maintain their existing benefits. The government's commitment to financial stabilization reflects a growing concern among EU member states about maintaining economic stability and avoiding unsustainable public debts.