Green party calls for basic state pension for all

Flemish green party Groen has called for a reform of the pensions systems, based on two principles: a basic pension for all and a supplement based on years worked. "Our society needs decent pensions in order to fight rampant poverty,” said MP Wouter De Vriendt in a statement. Twenty-two percent of pensioners live under the poverty threshold. Groen wants a basic pension for everyone, regardless of the career they had. The party suggests a monthly amount of €1,000, or €750 for those who have never worked but are legal cohabitants. Groen also calls for a top-up - a kind of work bonus - to be added to the basic pension, calculated on the number of years worked. The reform would cost €2bn, which would be offset by other measures.