Live hard, or how to retire with dignity on a Bulgarian pension

Bulgarians have the lowest pensions not only in the EU but in Europe

published on 8/22/24 12:38 PM

Photo: BGNES

Pensioners in Bulgaria live in harsh conditions that do not allow them to live their old age to the full, unlike their counterparts in more developed countries, says psychiatrist Dr Vladimir Simov, who has practised outside Bulgaria for many years and currently lives and works in France.

His book "Ageing" was recently published. It examines the intersections of this psycho-biosocial issue, analysing more than 500 foreign studies and monographs. According to the author, one of the most important factors in the well-being of older people around the world is their economic status.

Dr Vladimir Simov

"Against the backdrop of current events in Bulgaria, I can say that Bulgarian pensioners are not only denied the right to age in peace and dignity after years of working for the benefit of all, but that old age has humiliating consequences for them. And that hurts me very much," says Dr Vladimir Simov.

The number of people in the third age in the world is increasing due to low birth rates. The population pyramid is turning upside down. By 2050, there will be as many people under 18 as over 65, and we will be at a standstill. And what are we going to do with the elderly who, for example in Bulgaria, cannot afford the basics - food, heating, medicines and so on? We see that medicines are very expensive in our country. Health insurance covers some of them, but you have to pay extra for hospitalisation. Not to mention that the elderly are often implicitly denied treatment simply because they are too old," says Dr Simov.

According to various studies, Bulgarians have the lowest pensions not only in the EU but in Europe. Only Albanian pensioners are worse off. The average monthly pension in the country in 2024 is around 500 euros. "They stay at home, look after their grandchildren, help out and do not travel," says Dr Vladimir Simov.

"The Bulgarian is not a depressive person. He adapts. We have a saying here in Bulgaria - 'A poor man is a living devil', which can be translated as 'necessity is the mother of invention'. The Bulgarian tries to figure out how to get more for less. There is a vitality about him; he is a survivor. But this resourcefulness is not enough. In developed countries, the state and public organisations provide substantial support for the elderly.

In Bulgaria there are formally existing programmes for the elderly in the Ministry of Health and other institutions, EU funds are certainly used, but in practice there is nothing for the actual people. This is the truth! And these people feel abandoned by politicians. They are looking for their place, they are trying to reorganise their lives so that they can live a fuller life".

According to Dr Simov, a long-term strategy to support the elderly is urgently needed. At the moment, however, old age is a taboo subject and Bulgarian pensioners are left to fend for themselves as best they can.

But quality of life in old age is not just about having money. It also depends on our emotional balance and good physical health, says the psychiatrist. He recommends physical activity or one-hour walks at least 4-5 days a week, which burns about 3000 calories a week. "It has been proven that this can extend your life by about 10 years," says Dr Vladimir Simov:

"People should engage in various collective hobbies to meet others and maintain communication. The lack of social contact can lead to cognitive decline. Isolation and depression negatively impact brain function, leading to issues with memory and concentration. Nutrition is also crucial; it must be balanced. In our country, adults often maintain the same diet, which is typically high in fat and leads to problems with vitamin deficiencies, folic acid, and imbalances in blood counts," said Dr. Vladimir Simov.

Photos: BGNES, Personal archive

Translated and posted by Elizabeth Radkova

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Live hard, or how to retire with dignity on a Bulgarian pension

Bulgarians have the lowest pensions not only in the EU but in Europe

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