Widows to Receive Full Spousal Pension Under Forthcoming Budget Measures
In brief
- Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that Budget 2027 will grant widows the full pension entitlement of their late spouse.
- The change will raise survivor benefits to two-thirds of the deceased spouse's income, expanding existing support.
- The administration also plans social security credits for recovering addicts while committing to keep the deficit under 3%.
Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that widows will be entitled to receive the full pension their late spouse would have received, outlining key social measures planned for Budget 2027.
Under the revised framework, surviving spouses will receive a benefit equivalent to two-thirds of their late partner's earnings, enhancing the financial support available to bereaved households across the country.
The reform is intended to address long-standing disparities in survivor benefits, providing greater economic security for partners who previously received a reduced proportion of their late spouse's statutory entitlement.
Alongside the pension adjustment, Abela revealed that individuals recovering from drug addiction will be granted two years of social security contribution credits, supporting their transition back into formal employment.
The Prime Minister indicated that the forthcoming budget would remain fiscally prudent, stressing that the government intends to maintain Malta's fiscal deficit below the 3% threshold set by European fiscal rules.
The measures form part of the administration's broader social agenda ahead of the official budget presentation, seeking to balance targeted social assistance with macroeconomic restraint.
The Spin Room
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