site.btaDefence Minister Backs Changes to Military Disability Pension Rules

The Defence Ministry will work towards removing military disability pensions from the category of unearned income, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said during parliamentary question time on Friday.

"We will work towards this goal. I am making that commitment," Stoyanov said in response to a question from Ivo Tsanev of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms on the government's policy for the socio-economic support of military veterans with disabilities and service personnel injured in the line of duty.

Stoyanov said the current framework governing military disability pensions is set out in the Social Security Code. Any changes to the mechanism for calculating these pensions, including the possibility of linking them to the national poverty line, fall within the remit of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and would require legislative amendments, a financial impact assessment and an evaluation of their broader effects.

Following an open letter, described as a roadmap, submitted by the chairman of the Union of Military Disabled Veterans and Service-Injured Personnel proposing amendments to the relevant legislation, the Ministry of Defence initiated an inter-institutional consultation process, Stoyanov said.

He added that the proposals received from the institutions involved will be examined and analyzed in detail before any further action is taken.

According to the minister, the union's proposals cover a wide range of issues, including the participation of its representatives in working groups, broader access to medical, psychological and dental care, state funding for preventive healthcare and rehabilitation, priority access to social services, and other measures.

Given the breadth and complexity of the union's proposals, a balanced approach is needed, Stoyanov said. This should take into account the interests of other groups entitled to social support while avoiding discrimination or social inequality between different categories of citizens.

"The principles of social justice and the sustainability of the public finances must be upheld," he added.

According to data from the National Statistical Institute, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries is 1,234, Stoyanov said.

He assured the MPs that the Defence Ministry is working to improve healthcare, social assistance and legal protection for military veterans with disabilities and personnel injured in the line of duty, recognizing their contribution and importance to society.

Stoyanov also said the ministry maintains regular contact with military and patriotic organizations, whose expertise helps inform policymaking on defence issues.