In first half of year, over 3,000 people retired early

Chisinau, Oct. 5 /MOLDPRES/- In the first half of the year, over 3,000 citizens retired before the deadline, and some of the beneficiaries continue to work in the same positions.

According to the government's communication and protocol department, as of 1 January a new category of pension was established in the Republic of Moldova - the one anticipated for a long career.

Minister of Labor and Social Protection Marcel Spătari said that the practice of early retirement exists in many European countries, including France and Romania, from whose experience he was inspired to develop the normative framework. "If they have worked and contributed for a longer period of time, citizens have the right to early retirement, i.e. before reaching the standard retirement age," he said.

One of the beneficiaries of the early pension is Gheorghe Negru from Costești village, Ialoveni district. The man dedicated his whole life to medicine, which he practiced in his native village. This year he reached 41 years of service and decided to take early retirement. At the same time, he continues to work as a family doctor at the Costesti Health Center.

"I think early retirement is very welcome, especially for those who have a long career. I have been working since I was a student, at first I worked as a medical assistant, then I was a pediatrician, then head of the Health Center in Costești", said Gheorghe Negru.

Beneficiaries of the early pension are the people who have worked longer than the one provided for the old-age pensions: men - 39 years, and women - 35 years and 6 months.