Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has returned the proposed law concerning special pensions for judges and prosecutors to the Saeima for further consideration. In his explanation, he pointed out that the independence of judges is closely linked to guarantees of financial security. He argues that the rationale used for the overall reform of retirement pensions cannot be directly applied to justify reforms in the judges' pension system. This signals a significant pause in the legislative process relating to these pensions, highlighting the potential implications for judicial independence in Latvia.

The President has identified critical changes proposed in the law compared to the existing Judges' Retirement Pension Law. Notably, the requirement for years of service to qualify for special pensions is increased from 20 to 25 years. Additionally, the new law introduces a revised system for calculating these special pensions, which will now be based on the salary received over a period of 120 months, concluding two months before the termination of employment. These adjustments can significantly alter the financial landscape for future judges, which might impact the attractiveness of the judicial profession in Latvia.

The return of this law may also initiate discussions on broader pension reforms within the judiciary and could prompt debates on how the government approaches financial security for judges. The President's actions underscore the importance of maintaining judicial independence while ensuring that judges are adequately supported throughout their careers and into retirement. This development will be closely monitored as it may influence future legislative efforts concerning public service pensions in Latvia.