NPO-permanent information points: Minister Daniel Bacquelaine postpones the implementation of the new system
The administration agreement concluded with the Di Rupo government intends to « optimize » the permanent information points operated by the National Pensions Office (section 11).
In order to implement this agreement the NPO decided – following the positive advice and approval from its Administrative Committee – to reorganize the permanent information points as from 1st October.
The goal the National Pensions Office wants to achieve does not intend savings but a better service for our citizens:
In principle, this reorganization must enable an increased presence of the NPO permanent information points. In this light, the National Pensions Office plans to dedicate 8,202 hours instead of 6,602 hours today. Whereas today the permanent information points are open 1 to 2 hours, these must be open at fixed times – from 9 am to 11.30 am and from 1 pm to 3.30 pm – as from 1st October 2015. It was also planned that for the benefit of self-employed persons a representative from INASTI would be present once a month. Since the Civil Service Pensions Office and the National Pensions Office are to merge, the information provided will relate to all pension systems (employees, civil servants, self-employed persons) and will enable the citizens having a mixed career to receive any and all useful information concerning their pension rights which can be amassed in each of the pension systems.
The reorganization of the permanent information points is implemented for the purpose of covering our entire territory. Therefore, the administration has ensured that our citizens do not have to drive for hours to reach a permanent information point, although such a visit usually is a one-off.
Nevertheless, several municipalities indicated that they wanted to keep their permanent information point that is to be abolished by the NPO. Prior to the implementation of the new system and following consultation with the municipalities in question it must be verified whether an easily accessible permanent information point can be guaranteed for all of our citizens, wherever they live.
Minister for Pensions Daniel BACQUELAINE : «Taking into account the request by several municipalities to maintain the permanent information points to be abolished by the NPO I have asked to postpone the implementation of the new system. In doing so, it can be verified whether or not this new system guarantees easily accessible permanent information points for all of our citizens. If it appears that the abolition of a permanent information point would require additional driving time to a point that is maintained according to the NPO plan, I shall request to reinstate the permanent information point that was to be abolished! ».
