Minimal pension will be increased to GEL 100 starting from this September, President Saakashvili said at a televised meeting with pensioners in Rustavi on March 7.

Currently minimal monthly pension is GEL 80, plus GEL 2 or GEL 10 depending on length of service of each pensioner. Monthly pension is GEL 10 more for those pensioners residing in the capital city Tbilisi. GEL 10 pension increase for only those pensioners who live in the capital came ahead of the 2010 local elections.

President Saakashvili pledged in 2008 to increase minimal monthly pension up to USD 100. The authorities are frequently criticized by the opposition for the failure to keep this promise.

Saakashvili told a group of pensioners at the meeting in Rustavi on March 7, that in order to increase minimal pension to USD 100 “a major” and “a serious pension system reform” was needed. He said “hopefully” the government would be able to meet that target by the first half of next year.