Labour and social policy minister Natalia Efremova said all social insurance payments are guaranteed. She spoke to journalists before a meeting of the supervisory board of the National Social Security Institute (NOI).

The board will review the draft 2027 state social security budget. It totals €16.5bn, more than the previous one, and €14bn of it is for pensions.

Pensions will rise from the middle of next year, by 7% to 8% according to Efremova. Asked whether that would catch up with inflation, she said she expects it will.

The draft raises both the minimum and the maximum unemployment benefit. It also increases maternity benefit in the second year. Mothers who return to work earlier will get more money.

Christmas bonuses for the most vulnerable people will start to be paid at the end of November.

Follow-up: NOI supervisory board unanimously approves draft 2027 state social insurance budget