Moldova’s pension gap: Bankers top lists as IT faces risks
Fiscal transparency has established the banking industry as the primary source of the highest pensions in Moldova. Approximately 6,000 retirees, predominantly from the banking and medical sectors, receive average monthly payments of 25,000 MDL (approx. €1,275).
The transparency dividend
Elena Țîbîrnă, Director of the National Social Insurance House (CNAS), attributes these record figures to the sector's rigorous income reporting. Unlike other industries, financial institutions declare total earnings, directly inflating the social contribution base.
Aviators also rank among the top beneficiaries. This group contributes 39% of their earnings to the social fund, a rate significantly higher than the 29% paid by public sector employees.
The IT Sector Paradox
While IT professionals earn the highest salaries in the country, their future pensions remain at risk. Under current legislation, IT parks benefit from a reduced 7% contribution rate, with the calculation base for social benefits capped at 63% of the average projected salary.
"We limit the income considered for pensions and benefits in this sector," Țîbîrnă explained. This fiscal incentive, designed to stimulate growth, ultimately disadvantages tech employees in the long term.
The minimum pension reality
In sharp contrast, a vast segment of the population remains vulnerable. Out of 670,000 retirees, nearly 97,000 depend on the national minimum pension.
As of April 1, 2026, the minimum age-limit pension stands at 3,264 MDL (approx. €166). For those with a contribution history exceeding 40 years, the minimum threshold is slightly higher at 3,525 MDL (approx. €180).
Translation by Iurie Tataru
