Minister Eduard Novak responded to accusations of the National Sports and Youth Union (SNST) of “quickly receiving a maximum lifetime pension” at the level of Romanian sports legends, stating that he would take all measures to hold those responsible for defamatory statements accountable for their actions .

Eduard Novak, life annuity 16,635 lei per month

According to SNST, Eduard Novak would set a maximum lifetime pension (16,635 lei per month) at the level of that received by Romanian sports legends such as Nadia Comaneci, Elisabeta Lipe, Ivan Pacaicin or Gabriela Szabo.

“After initially saying he was still considering whether to retire as a Paralympian, Novak took his case to the Ministry of Sport and was quickly awarded the maximum lifetime pension; the minister of sports (!) immediately granted his request, and the funds were allocated instantly: Novak Karol Eduard receives a monthly lifetime annuity of 16,635 lei.

Only the most successful Romanian athletes receive this amount, it is what the champions with the most medals at the World and European championships among adults, Olympic competitions receive.

The Ministry of Sports, headed by Minister Eduard Novak, placed athlete Eduard Novak in the group of maximum performance together with Nadiya Komanechi (gymnastics), Ivan Patsaichin (canoe), Elizabeta Lipe (rowing) or Gabriela Szabo (athletics),” the message reads. National Union of Sports and Youth.

Eduard Novak counterattacks: “I fully meet the conditions for granting a life annuity”

Sports Minister Eduard Novak responded in a Facebook post on Wednesday saying he “fully meets the conditions for the grant of a life annuity”.

At the age of 46, Novak said that during his participation in the Paralympic Games, he won 4 medals (one gold and three silver), 5 world gold medals and 2 European ones.

“Recently, I have been constantly being attacked by the NSMU, and I want to make it clear that I will do everything possible to make the people responsible for these slanderous statements accountable for their actions.

This latest episode regarding the annuity also has a tinge of discrimination, given that I am a Paralympic athlete and Paralympic medals are still viewed differently and receive less attention and appreciation.

Some clarifications are needed regarding the false claims spread in the media. Moreover, the point of view of the ministry was not asked, with the obvious intention of igniting a scandal, rather than clarifying possible misunderstandings on this matter.

At the end of my sports career, after the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, I submitted a request to the Ministry as a retired athlete for a life annuity based on my legal right granted by Law no. 69/2000 on physical education and sports with subsequent changes and additions.

The conditions for assigning a life annuity, which they fully fulfill, are directly provided for in the law, as well as in the normative legal acts that implement it, as well as the method of calculation.

In addition, sports performances were confirmed, at the request of the Ministry of Sports, by a specialized federation, in my case, the cycling federation, and the National Paralympic Committee of Romania.

These results include one Paralympic gold medal, three Paralympic silver medals, 5 world gold medals and 2 European gold medals. I mention only those that were taken into account to determine the amount of the pension, and not all that were received during the entire working experience.

Another indicator, which is the basis of the calculation, is the latest average gross salary in the economy, published by the National Institute of Statistics.

As a result of my sports results, a coefficient of 7.35 was obtained. It was limited, also as a result of legal provisions, to 5.

This is where the awarded amount arose, which is the same as for other athletes, precisely because the law limits the coefficient to 5 regardless of the level of results. This is the maximum amount that can be awarded as an annuity to an athlete.

All retired athletes are entitled to an annuity, regardless of their position and type of medals. The Paralympics come out with the same effort and have the same cost. As for the number of them, the ones I received legally entitle me to the maximum lifetime annuity. Please do not forget that I am not just a minister, I am also an athlete who has the same rights as all athletes!” – Eduard Novak.