Debt-ridden Greece’s biggest pension fund has stopped payments to 1,473 pensioners over the age of 90 after finding out they are no longer alive.
The state-run Social Security Fund states that it will sue those illegally pocketing such pensions and try to recoup (EURO)1.9 million ($2.7 million) that has been paid into the accounts of the deceased.
Thursday’s announcement follows a continuing fraud investigation after officials found that some 9,000 Greeks aged over 100 are receiving pensions. The latest census, in 2001, listed fewer than 1,700 people over 100-years-old.
Greek authorities also are looking at suspected disability and welfare fraud after noticing suspiciously high numbers of beneficiaries.
(source: AP)
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