Montenegro is preparing a new pension reform package that would gradually increase the retirement age to 67, as authorities look for ways to respond to mounting demographic and budgetary pressure on the pension system.
The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to strengthen the long-term stability of public finances at a time when the country is facing an aging population and growing strain on pension funding. Officials argue that, without deeper structural adjustments, the system could face even greater financial challenges in the years ahead.
Under the new approach, the retirement age for men and women would be aligned within a single framework, replacing earlier arrangements that relied on different thresholds and transitional rules. The government’s goal is to introduce a more consistent and predictable model for future retirees while moving closer to standards seen across Europe.
Authorities say the reform is designed not only to extend working life, but also to preserve balance in the labor market by addressing the ratio between those in employment and those drawing pensions. The idea of increasing the retirement threshold has surfaced before in Montenegro’s policy discussions, reflecting a longer-term trend toward reforming pension systems under economic and demographic pressure.
The proposal has already triggered debate in the public sphere. Trade unions and opposition voices have raised concerns about the possible burden on workers, especially those employed in physically demanding jobs. Supporters of the measure, however, maintain that such changes are becoming increasingly difficult to avoid if the pension system is to remain sustainable over the long term.
