Averof Neofytou criticizes proposed pension reform in Cyprus

On September 5, 2026, former DISY president Averof Neofytou publicly criticized the government's proposed pension reform bill, which is currently under public consultation. Neofytou characterized the proposal as a deception toward low-income pensioners and a measure that further victimizes younger generations.

In his statement, Neofytou argued that the reform does not provide the necessary state support or significant increases to low pensions. Instead, he claimed that the government is merely redistributing existing resources from the Social Insurance Fund (TKAS) to provide minor, negligible increases today at the long-term expense of future pensioners. This critique counters the Minister of Labour’s recent position, who has described the reform efforts as a pursuit of justice.

These comments follow the government's recent decision to place the draft legislation for public consultation, a process intended to address ongoing concerns regarding the sustainability and adequacy of the pension system in Cyprus. The reform remains a central topic of political discourse, with further debates expected as the government seeks to balance current social needs with long-term fiscal solvency.