The financial situation of Pljevlja pensioners is poor, and almost half of pensioners in the industrial city of Montenegro receive a minimum pension.
This was announced by the president of the Pensioners' Association in Pljevlja, Vukadin Damjanović, at the annual assembly of the Association.
Damjanović said that out of a total of 6.647 pensioners, 3.775 receive a minimum pension of 450 euros. The total number of pensioners in Pljevlja is 146 more than in the same period last year.
"In Pljevlja, pensions are terribly low for most pensioners, and if the minimum pension had not been floated to 450.00 euros in January of this year, I don't know how these pensioners would survive. The report of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund and the Association dated 6.3.2025 states that in Pljevlja there are 3.775 pensioners whose pension is 450 euros, and 450 receive a pension from 700 to 1.542 euros, while 700 pensioners receive a pension from 900 to 762 euros, and 900 pensioners receive a pension from 1.000 to 193 euros. 1.000 pensioners have pensions over 194 euros, and 1.645 pensioners have a limit pension of 4 euros. I believe that this is a big difference between the lowest and highest pensions, and therefore I believe that the authorities in the state should do something to reduce this gap," said Damjanović.
He said that in Pljevlja, more than half of pensioners have a pension lower than the average in Montenegro.
The average pension in Pljevlja is 533,58 euros, and more than half of pensioners in Pljevlja have a pension lower than the average pension in Montenegro, which is 525,23 euros. Imagine how those pensioners survive, especially those who do not have a resolved housing issue.
He also points out that the increase in pensions has not been accompanied by an increase in prices.
"I agree that the Government of Montenegro has ensured the regularity of pensions regardless of the economic situation in the country. In January of this year, pensions were adjusted and increased by 2.08 percent, in May by 1,93 percent, in September by 2,40 percent, which is a total of about 6,41 percent. We believe that this is a minimal increase, because the standard of living has increased by over 50 percent," said Damjanović.
Knowing how poor the living standards of the vast majority of pensioners in Pljevlja are, twice last year they distributed immediate assistance to the most vulnerable pensioners from membership fees and regular funds in the amount of 12.180 euros, financial assistance. A total of 408 pensioners received this assistance.
He said that last year they distributed a large amount of food at very favorable prices and on repayment.
"Up to 5 tons of coal were purchased for pensioners in Pljevlja on a deferred payment of five months, so that the Coal Mine delivered 1.397 tons of coal for 699 pensioners. 158 pensioners used the rest and recovery in Ulcinj, and 7 in Žabljak. We are asking that we be allowed to use as many beds as possible during the season in Ulcinj and we expect that we will find understanding from the republican commission dealing with solving this problem, especially after the hotel was reconstructed and the number of beds increased," said Damjanović.
He also pointed out that they have no information as to why the construction of buildings for pensioners in Pljevlja, for which the cornerstone was laid in 2018, has not yet begun.
"In 2017, the association received a free plot of land from the local government for the construction of a residential building for pensioners, and 50 percent of the funds, or 300.000 euros, from the Pension and Retirement Fund. On July 8.7.2022, 24.8.2022, we received a report from the Board of Directors and the Commission for Housing Construction of the Pension and Retirement Fund, as well as a letter dated August XNUMX, XNUMX, requesting the return of funds for housing construction, without specifying the bank account. In response to this request, we sent a written explanation of the funds and all bank statements as payment slips, so that the funds are still in these accounts. The explanation states that the Pension and Retirement Fund of Montenegro will take over the further construction of apartments for pensioners, for which we have no information from the Pension and Retirement Fund," said Damjanović.
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