A total of 7,057 people employed within Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior are simultaneously receiving pensions and salaries, according to data from the National Social Security Institute cited by newspaper Sega.
The figure, based on information from June this year, is significantly higher than previously disclosed numbers by various Interior Ministry officials. With the ministry employing around 51,000 people, working pensioners account for more than 14% of the entire workforce.
The data shows that the issue affects not only police officers but also employees across different categories within the ministry.
According to the National Social Security Institute breakdown, 5,175 police officers, firefighters and investigators are receiving both pension payments and salaries while continuing to work.
Another 595 people belong to the category of civil servants employed in the Interior Ministry administration under the Civil Servant Act and are also receiving pensions.
