CSI expenditure could increase by 42% compared to the forecast for 2025

The changes to the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) could increase expenditure by 42% compared to what was forecast for this year, and reach 1,093 million euros in 2029. In a report released this Monday, the Public Finance Council highlights that the changes to the eligibility conditions and the associated benefit, in 2024, had a significant budgetary impact, namely by leading to a "significant increase in the number of beneficiaries and associated expenditure".

The changes include the exclusion of children's income as a criterion and exclusion factor, as well as the increase in its reference value and the expansion of supplementary benefits.

"In 2025, spending on the supplement will exceed the budgeted amount," notes the CFP, as quoted by Lusa news agency. The organization points out that "up to July, Social Security spending on the CSI totaled €302.3 million, which compares with the €406.8 million projected in the Social Security Budget."

Calculating the average amount processed per beneficiary to date, and the increase in the number of beneficiaries, the CFP projects that expenditure will total 577 million euros in 2025, which "would result in a deviation of approximately 42% compared to the budget and an increase of 178 million euros compared to 2024."

Furthermore, the organization concludes, considering that the Government "commits to converging the CSI to 870 euros at the end of the legislature" and "assuming that the coverage rate of the supplement remains at the level estimated for December 2025, the commitments made in the Government Program and an update of pensions compatible with the CFP's macroeconomic scenario, it is projected that expenditure on CSI could reach 1,093 million euros in 2029", at the end of the legislature.

This figure would represent a 90% increase compared to the projected expenditure for 2025 (at current prices), more than quadrupling compared to 2023. The CFP also warns that there is a risk of expenditure being higher, taking into account the rate of increase in the number of beneficiaries and the expenditure on additional health benefits (BAS), namely free medicines.

CSI is a monthly cash support paid to elderly people living in poverty.