Executive Yuan: Halting Pension Cuts Will Significantly Increase Government Spending, Awaiting Constitutional Court Ruling

(CNA, Taipei, June 11) The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of bills to halt pension cuts for civil servants and public school teachers last December. The Ministry of Civil Service recently stated that back payments for retired civil servants will be completed by August 1st. Regarding whether public school teachers will follow suit, the Executive Yuan stated today that the case is currently under constitutional interpretation proceedings and hopes the Constitutional Court will make a ruling as soon as possible, providing the final basis for the administrative team to execute.

The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of Article 37, 38, and 67 of the "Act Governing Retirement, Severance, and Bereavement Compensation for Public School Teachers and Staff" and Article 37, 38, and 67 of the "Civil Service Retirement and Severance Act" last December. These acts pertain to halting pension cuts starting from 2024 (Republic of China year 113). After the Presidential Office announced their enactment, the Executive Yuan, Examination Yuan, and the Democratic Progressive Party's legislative caucus successively filed for constitutional interpretation.

Regarding retired civil servants, the Ministry of Civil Service recently stated that the amended articles of the Civil Service Retirement and Severance Act do not specify an effective date, so they legally take effect on December 28, 2025. The pension difference from December 28, 2024, to July 31, 2025, should be back-paid, with completion no later than August 1, 2025.

Regarding whether retired public school teachers will also receive back payments, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Huizhi stated at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting today that the adjustments made by the Legislative Yuan to the pension reform will significantly increase government spending. The Executive Yuan respects the Examination Yuan's审定权 (power of review and determination). The Ministry of Education has also received the official document from the Ministry of Civil Service. However, as the act is currently under constitutional interpretation proceedings, the Executive Yuan hopes the Constitutional Court will make a ruling as soon as possible, providing the basis for the administrative team to execute.

Li Huizhi emphasized that the government's stance on taking care of military personnel, civil servants, and teachers has not changed. Salaries have been increased four times since 2016, and in 2025, five allowances for the national military were increased, with an annual cost of NT$14.6 billion.

Regarding the progress of amendments to the Military Personnel Treatment Act and the Police Personnel Personnel Act, Li Huizhi stated that the government places great importance on the treatment, system, and welfare support for military personnel, civil servants, and teachers. In the future, it will continue to review and improve under the principles of a sound system, complete legal framework, and fairness and balance. She also instructed the Ministry of National Defense to conduct a complete and specific review of current military personnel treatment and welfare measures. Regarding the Police Personnel Personnel Act, relevant agencies were asked to continue communication and negotiation with the Legislative Yuan under the premise of conforming to the system and legal framework, to find feasible solutions, and to study more reasonable treatment adjustment methods that reflect price changes and are closer to the actual operational needs of the civil service system.