Pension policy is entering a new phase, as is now apparent from the "Helios" information system. the increases implemented since January are attempting to restore losses and, at the same time, gradually eliminate distortions that existed due to the "personal difference."
In practice, pensions and persistent inequalities between old and new pensioners are being reduced, with the real impact expected to be seen in a year's time, as the changes are fully incorporated for all beneficiaries. It is noteworthy that the average main pension amounted to €865.58 in January, an increase of approximately €20 compared to €847.55 in December 2025, incorporating the annual adjustment of 2.4% even for those who maintained a personal difference (and received half the increase).
In detail, January 2026 is recorded as the first month of this change, and the data from the monthly report "Helios" report already reflect the first effects on the amount of payments, as well as the sharp differences between the private and public sectors. Overall, there are 2,529,695 pensioners in the country, and the total monthly income from pensions amounts to €2.78 billion. The average income from main, supplementary, and other benefits reaches €1,038.10.
However, the picture changes significantly when only main pensions are considered, which include increases. In January, 2,899,085 main pensions were paid, with a total expenditure of €2.51 billion and an average expenditure per main pension of €865.58. For old-age pensions, which make up the bulk of pensions, the average expenditure is €976.84, while approximately 57.3% of these do not exceed €1,000.
The increase compared to December 2025 is evident: the average income from old-age pensions stood at €1,212.07 (before tax, with health insurance contributions), up from €1,189.25 in the previous month. The stratification of pensions shows that the majority still fall within the range of €500-1,000, which limits the real purchasing power of pensioners.
The differences between the private and public sectors remain pronounced. According to the data from the new final decisions, the average main pension expenditure for public sector pensioners is €1,468.44, while for the EFKA (Unified Social Security Fund), which basically covers the private sector, the corresponding average expenditure is €789.88. The gap reflects both wage differences and, more importantly, the greater number of years of insurance offered by permanent employment in the public sector.
Geographically, the highest concentration of pensions is in Attica with 1,743,216 payments, followed by Central Macedonia with 758,865. The ratio of pension expenditure to regional GDP remains highest in Epirus (26.6%) and Thessaly (24.2%), highlighting the important role of pensions in supporting local economies.
The age distribution shows that 64% of pensioners are over 71 years old, with the 66-70 age group receiving on average the highest amounts (€1,134.13). The aging population, combined with the high fiscal footprint—€2.83 billion in total monthly expenditure for 4.7 million benefits—brings the debate on the long-term sustainability of the system back to the forefront.
Pensioners, however, are planning a nationwide rally on March 20, at Syntagma Square at 12 noon, followed by a march to the Maximos Mansion, demanding increases in pensions across the board, compensation for the total loss from inflation, for all pensions, payment of the 13th and 14th pensions and the illegally withheld retroactive payments to all.
They are also demanding, among other things, that pensions be calculated on the basis of the average pensionable salary over the last five years, that the "solidarity contribution" and the health contribution be abolished, and that the national pension be applied to all pensions.
It should be noted here that, according to an analysis by the Union for the Defense of Labor and the Welfare State, after 13 years of cuts and suspension of increases in all pensions (i.e., 2010-2022) pensioners have lost more than €2 billion.