Investments in the regional pension supplement in the Azores in 2024 currently amount to around 14 million euros and are intended to support 32,000 beneficiaries, the regional government announced on Wednesday, praising the increase in subsidies from 2020.
“The amount already paid in 2024 to around 32,000 beneficiaries, which is already close to 14 million euros, is an investment in the well-being of the elderly in the most precarious situations, and also ensures basic fairness for these people who have worked all their lives, have more comfort,” said Health and Social Affairs Minister Monica Sejdi, quoted in the statement.
The Azores Executive Authority (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) highlights the “significant” increase in this support, also known as “cheque pequenino”, provided for in the region’s budget for this year.
The document was approved by the Regional Assembly only in May, but the increase in pension supplements came into force on January 1.
“The budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores for this year forecasts an increase in this support of 20%, 10% and 5% depending on the levels, with the largest increase occurring in the first level of the regional pension supplement, which currently amounts to 113.98 euros per month,” says a press release published on the website of the Government of the Azores.
The regional government, led by Social Democrat José Manuel Bolheiro (who has headed the executive since 2020), points out that the amount allocated in 2020 in the first phase of this supplement was 54.14 euros, and this year this amount has increased to 113.98 euros.
“The way we treat the most fragile says a lot about us as a society, and the Azores Regional Government wants the community to support and respect those who have worked so hard and contributed to the well-being of all,” defended Monica Seydie.
The increase in the regional pension supplement was one of the reasons given by Chega/Asores to justify the vote in favour of the Regional Plan and Budget for 2024.
The Azores Parliament is made up of 57 members, 23 of whom are from the PSD, another 23 from the PS, five from Chega, two from the CDS-PP, one from the IL, one from the PAN, one from the BE and one from the PPM.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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