The annual pension supplement is a permanent right introduced in 2025, and it belongs to all recipients of Croatian pensions, including old-age, disability, and survivor's pensions, for the year in which their pension was paid.

It is often called the 13th pension, although it does not mean the payment of another full monthly pension.

A pensioner with 30 years of pensionable service could receive 240 euros in annual supplement this year. That is how much they would receive if the Government sets the value at 8 euros per year of service, but that amount has not yet been confirmed.

As reported by Katarina Brečić for RTL Danas and net.hr, the president of the Pensioners' Union of Croatia, Višnja Stanišić, says that 8 euros is unofficially being mentioned, which she considers humiliating.

Last year, 40 years of service brought 240 euros

The annual supplement was introduced in 2025 as a permanent right of pensioners, and the value per year of service was then 6 euros. For 30 years, 180 euros was paid, for 35 years 210 euros, and for 40 years 240 euros. Although it is often called the 13th pension, the supplement is not determined according to the amount of the monthly pension. It is calculated according to the full years of pensionable service on the basis of which the pension was determined in Croatian insurance.

How much would 30 years of service bring this year?

At a value of 6 euros, the supplement would amount to 180 euros; at 8 euros, it would be 240 euros; and at 10 euros, it would reach 300 euros. SUH is asking for 12.51 euros per year of service, which for 30 years would mean 375.30 euros. They base this request on 80% of the current pension value, the official amount used in its calculation. These are possible calculations, not adopted decisions, and 10 euros here serves only for comparison.

The union is also asking for 2 payments per year, with a proposal that 2 such supplements be paid from next year. They believe that only in this way would their total amount come close to one average monthly pension. These are union demands, not adopted rights.

Decision in October, money in December

The Government determines the value of the supplement in October, and HZMO pays it in December, automatically and without submitting an application. The Ministry of Labour says that the amount will depend on the possibilities of the state budget. If the value per year of service increases from 6 to 8 euros, a pensioner with 30 years of service will receive 60 euros more than last year. That difference best shows how much the announced increase would mean for their household budget.

At a time of rising prices, extra money is quickly spent. For some, this amount will cover a larger purchase of basic groceries; for others, utility bills or the cost of medicines, so little of it will remain. Still, whatever the amount, it will certainly come in handy for those who are barely making ends meet. For them, even such a payment can mean a paid bill or the purchase of necessities they have so far had to postpone.