Among the nearly 2 million Bulgarians to whom the National Institute of Social Security (NISS) pays pension benefits, there are 16,000 who live abroad. The largest number of Bulgarian pensioners currently live in Germany – 4,100. And only one of compatriots of retirement age has settled in South Korea and Iceland.
Meanwhile, 75,000 Bulgarians receive pension benefits from abroad, NISS Manager Vesela Karaivanova has said. They also receive a Bulgarian pension, but have the right to benefit from foreign benefits, since they worked for a certain period of their work experience in an EU country or in another state with which Bulgaria has an agreement on the recognition of social security.
Most Bulgarians receive pension benefits based on their work experience in Germany – over 12,500. About 11,300 of compatriots receive pensions from Spain. Income from Greece and Italy is received by 10,200 and 8,600 elderly Bulgarians, respectively. A significant number of Bulgarian citizens have earned the right to social security from Russia – 5,900, Great Britain – 5,400, the Czech Republic – 3,200, Cyprus – 2,900 and Austria – 2,300. (Novinite)