The financial circumstances for pensioners in Pljevlja are challenging, with nearly half relying on a minimum pension.

This statement was made by Vukadin Damjanović, president of the Pensioners’ Association in Pljevlja, during the association’s annual gathering.

Damjanović revealed that among the 6,647 pensioners in the region, 3,775 receive the minimum pension of 450 euros. This number reflects an increase of 146 pensioners compared to the same time last year.

“In Pljevlja, the majority of pensioners receive extremely low pensions. If the minimum pension hadn’t been raised to 450.00 euros this January, I’m unsure how these individuals would manage. According to a report from the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund and the Association dated March 6, 2025, there are 3,775 pensioners receiving a pension of 450 euros, while 450 pensioners receive between 700 and 1,542 euros. Additionally, 700 pensioners are getting between 900 and 762 euros, and about 1,000 pensioners receive over 194 euros, with 1,645 above the minimum pension of 4 euros. This vast disparity between the lowest and highest pensions highlights the urgent need for governmental intervention to bridge this gap,” Damjanović commented.

He further mentioned that over half of pensioners in Pljevlja earn less than the national average.

The average pension in Pljevlja stands at 533.58 euros, while the average pension in Montenegro is just slightly higher at 525.23 euros. It’s daunting to consider how these pensioners manage, especially those without stable housing.

Damjanović emphasized that the rise in pensions hasn’t kept pace with increasing living costs.

“While I acknowledge that the Montenegrin Government has ensured regular pension payments despite the country’s economic challenges, the adjustments made this January (2.08 percent), in May (1.93 percent), and September (2.40 percent)—totaling around 6.41 percent—are minimal considering the living standard has surged by over 50 percent,” he noted.

In light of the financial struggles faced by most pensioners in Pljevlja, the association distributed immediate aid twice last year, amounting to 12,180 euros, assisting 408 of the most vulnerable members.

Additionally, last year, they provided substantial food supplies at favorable rates with options for payment over time.

“We secured up to 5 tons of coal for pensioners in Pljevlja on a deferred payment plan spanning five months. The Coal Mine delivered 1,397 tons of coal to 699 pensioners. Furthermore, 158 pensioners availed themselves of recovery services in Ulcinj, and 7 in Žabljak. We are advocating for increased availability of beds during peak season in Ulcinj and hope for cooperation from the relevant state commission, especially after the hotel’s reconstruction expanded bed capacity,” stated Damjanović.

He also expressed concern regarding the lack of updates on the construction of residential buildings for pensioners in Pljevlja, a project that was set in motion with a cornerstone laying in 2018.

“In 2017, the association was allocated a plot of land by the local government for the construction of a pensioner residence, accompanied by 300,000 euros, representing 50 percent of the financing from the Pension and Retirement Fund. Reports and correspondence from July and August 2022 requested the return of these funds without clarifying the bank account details. In response, we provided comprehensive documentation proving the funds remained intact. The Pension and Retirement Fund stated they would assume responsibility for further development of the apartments, yet we have heard nothing further from them,” Damjanović explained.

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