A new chapter is unfolding in the long-running dispute over the Solidarity Contribution for Pensioners (EAS), with attention now turning to October 7, 2026 — the date set for a landmark pilot hearing before the Court of Auditors concerning the method used to calculate the levy. This legal battle could have significant implications for approximately 440,000 pensioners who are subject to the contribution. The critical question is not only whether the EAS will be retained, but more importantly, how it will be calculated. According to sources, the court commissioner’s recommendation is reportedly leaning toward a proportional, bracket-by-bracket calculation of the EAS, rather than applying the corresponding rate to the pensioner’s total pension amount. If this position is upheld, experts estimate that the financial burden on many pensioners could be reduced by as much as 50%.
The core problem
The EAS was introduced in 2010 as part of Greece’s austerity measures and applies to pensioners receiving higher pension amounts. Under the current system, the contribution is applied to primary pensions when the combined total exceeds €1,468, while for supplementary pensions it kicks in when the amount exceeds €300. For primary pensions, rates range from 3% to 14% depending on the pension amount. For supplementary pensions, deductions range from 3% to 10%.
Growing backlash
The aspect generating the most controversy is that the EAS is not calculated like a progressive tax. When a pensioner moves into a higher bracket, the applicable rate is applied to the entire pension amount — not just the portion that exceeds the threshold. This creates sharp financial cliff-edges for pensioners who fall just above bracket boundaries. A clear example is a pensioner receiving €2,000 per month. Under the current calculation method, this pension falls into the 6% bracket and the contribution is calculated on the full €2,000. Under the system proposed through the legal challenge, the contribution would only apply to the amount exceeding the approximately €1,468 threshold — that is, roughly €532. The difference is therefore substantial.
The burden is particularly severe for those sitting near bracket thresholds. Based on available data, pensioners earning approximately €1,784 to €2,080 per month are significantly affected, as the transition from the 3% to the 6% bracket effectively doubles their contribution rate. Even heavier deductions apply to those receiving higher pensions — above €2,500 to €3,000 gross. According to relevant estimates, around 10,000 pensioners in the highest brackets face annual deductions equivalent to an entire national pension, which currently stands at approximately €446 per month. The overall financial burden of the EAS is substantial. According to estimates cited by pensioner representatives, approximately €10 billion has been withheld from eligible pensioners since 2010.
For 2026 alone, according to the draft budget, the EAS is expected to generate approximately €888,000,000 — of which €721,000,000 from primary pensions and €167,000,000 from supplementary pensions. The case stems from an appeal filed by a retired judge and has been referred to the Full Court of the Court of Auditors. It was initially scheduled for June 10, 2026, but was postponed following a request by the State and has now been rescheduled for October 7, 2026. The petition calls for the abolition of the EAS or, at minimum, a change in the method of calculation so that it is applied in a manner consistent with the principle of proportionality. Central to the proposal is the argument that the contribution should be calculated only on the portion of the pension exceeding the relevant threshold — not on the total pension amount. Greece’s Independent Authority for Human Rights (Ombudsman) has also previously advocated for a more proportional calculation system. Reports indicate that the government is awaiting the Court of Auditors’ ruling before considering possible legislative changes to the EAS calculation method from 2027 onwards.
