Will Public Servants' Pension Arrears Be Defaulted? Lee Lai-hsi Demands Clarity from Executive Yuan

In December last year, the Legislative Yuan passed a bill to halt pension cuts for public servants and educators. Media reports indicate that in June, the Ministry of Civil Service announced that pension arrears from December 28, 2023, to July 31, 2024, would be fully paid by August 1, 2024. However, the central government's budget for this year has not yet been approved, making disbursement impossible. Moreover, the Executive Yuan, while drafting next year's central government budget, has not included funding for these back payments.

In response, Lee Lai-hsi, a leading figure in the anti-pension reform movement and former chairman of the National Civil Servants Association, has strongly criticized the Executive Yuan on Facebook. He demanded: "Has the Executive Yuan reimbursed the over-deducted amounts from January to July this year? Will August 1 pension payments follow the new standard or stick to the old one? Please explain clearly and transparently."

Will pension arrears from halted cuts remain unpaid? Conflict between Executive Yuan and Examination Yuan

In December 2023, the Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the "Civil Servants Retirement, Dismissal, and Pension Act" and the "Public School Staff Pension Act." These changes retroactively restore retirement income replacement rates to 2023 levels and halt annual reductions starting January 1, 2024. In response, the Executive Yuan, Examination Yuan, and the DPP caucus in the Legislative Yuan have all filed constitutional challenges.

In June, the Ministry of Civil Service announced that pension arrears from December 28, 2023, to July 31, 2024, would be paid in full by August 1, 2024. It has already sent revised payment notices and income statements to retirees through disbursement agencies. Minister Shih Neng-chieh stated in a legislative session that both the Executive Yuan and Examination Yuan have filed constitutional challenges, and if no procedural issues arise, back payments will proceed as planned on August 1.

However, the Executive Yuan and Examination Yuan hold conflicting positions. Since the civil servants' pension fund is managed by the Examination Yuan, the Executive Yuan has repeatedly stated it respects the Examination Yuan's authority. The relevant bills are currently under constitutional review, and the Executive Yuan expects the Constitutional Court to issue a swift ruling to clarify legal disputes and provide a basis for future administrative actions.

In response, Lee Lai-hsi intensified his criticism: "Are you still going to stubbornly deny responsibility? Just ask the Executive Yuan's own retirees—did they receive reimbursement for over-deductions from January to July? Will August 1 pensions be paid under the new standard or the old one? Please explain clearly and transparently."

More exclusive reports from Storm Media: · Despite halting public servant pension cuts, are military retirees still seeing pay reductions? Lee Lai-hsi exposes the plight of veterans under the 'endowment system': losing over NT$20,000 monthly · Why do current military, civil servants, and educators get retroactive pay raises, but retired personnel don't? Lee Lai-hsi condemns government hypocrisy: 'Put yourself in their shoes' · Pension fund earns over NT$30 billion, yet pension cuts will cause early bankruptcy? Lee Lai-hsi highlights flawed calculations: It's time for a review