As stated by the State Comptroller, there are over 1.2 million senior citizens in the country whose life expectancy has increased by 16% in recent years. At the same time, all private long-term care insurance plans (!) were canceled since, these are for-profit companies which understood that such a large population that lives (thank God) for many years means longer assistance, and requires a much larger budget.
Fortunately, the National Insurance is not a private company and does not seek profits, but has the obligation to provide a service to the citizens who build this country, paid insurance contributions all their lives and are entitled to social benefits when their health requires it.
Long-term care benefits were reformed in 2018 after years when senior citizens were unable to receive any money. Following severe public criticism of the way they were treated, and State Comptroller's extensive reporting on the subject, the reform was implemented.
This is the time to remind that long-term care benefits are subject to an income threshold and given to the most needy. We also note that old-age benefits have not increased in more than a decade, when the economic reality has changed drastically.
The role of the National Insurance Institute is to protect senior citizens and provide them with assistance by right, not by grace.