Montenegro is also facing questions about the long-term sustainability of its pension system, as policymakers consider how demographic trends and the balance between workers and pensioners could affect future pension spending.
The current statutory retirement age in Montenegro is generally 65, provided the person has at least 15 years of insurance service. However, the country may eventually face similar pressure to raise the retirement age, as its population ages and the number of pensioners grows relative to the working-age population.
The debate reflects a wider European challenge: pension systems rely on contributions from the workforce, while longer life expectancy and lower birth rates can increase the number of people receiving benefits compared with those paying into the system. Governments must therefore weigh the financial sustainability of pensions against the consequences of extending working lives.
For Montenegro, any future move towards retirement at 70 would require political debate and changes to the relevant legislation. The discussion does not mean that such a reform has been adopted or formally announced as government policy. For now, the question is how the country can respond to demographic change while maintaining an adequate level of pension security for older citizens.
