Smer Tables Bill on bonuses to pensions of former medallists

Four governing Smer-SD party MPs have submitted a bill that would award former athletes who've won medals at major sporting events monthly bonuses to their pensions should the need arise. Under the proposal a former gold medallist would receive a bonus payment that would boost their pension up to at least €800 per month. Silver and bronze medallists would receive bonuses to ensure that their pensions reached at least €650 and €550, respectively. Former athletes who have won more than one medal would receive the extra payment in line with the most valuable medal. Those with a higher pension than the aforementioned sums would be unable to claim any bonus. Although the cost of the measure wasn't included in the bill, an omission frowned upon by the Finance Ministry; author of the bill Anton Martvon said that he envisages the annual cost to be €200,000. The figure is expected to drop constantly, as athletes these days earn far more than those in the past. As things stand, the measure would potentially affect 100-150 former athletes with careers dating back to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. "Top national athletes make efforts to be successful, and they're then left with little scope to pursue other activities that would bring them financial incomes for their day-to-day lives," states the proposal.