Military allowances: inherited privileges from the days of the NOB still burden taxpayers

More than 80 years after the end of World War II, Slovenia continues to pay special allowances known as "borčevski dodatki," which are inherited by descendants of those who participated in the National Liberation Struggle (NOB). In 2025, 2,655 recipients received a total of €4.81 million in these benefits. Over three-quarters of this amount consists of family and widow's supplements. The number of relatives of NOB participants is six times greater than the number of direct participants, although the information officer does not allow disclosure of their birth years. There are still 379 direct NOB participants, representing less than 15 percent of all beneficiaries. These so-called "borčevski dodatki" or pensions, originating from former Yugoslav regulations, continue to be passed down to family members and represent one of the most controversial elements of Slovenia’s pension system. While the number of recipients gradually decreases due to natural attrition, some recipients receive high amounts, raising questions about transparency and justification. Individual cases highlight long-term privileges and inheritance reminiscent of noble titles from the past. Historically, these additional payments originated during the period of socialist Yugoslavia. According to the law on basic rights from the pension and disability insurance (valid until March 31, 1992), participants in the NOB, national heroes, and holders of the 1941 Partisan Memory medal had the right to more favorable pension conditions, including double counting of the war period (1941–May 15, 1945) and higher bases for calculation. After Slovenia’s independence, these acquired rights were preserved within the framework of the law on pension and disability insurance (ZPIZ-2). Taxpayers thus bear additional costs through the budget arising from these special provisions (Article 161 of ZPIZ-2). Today, these are mostly additions to regular pensions or family and widow’s pensions, rather than completely separate "borčevski pensions." Upon the death of a beneficiary, the allowance can be inherited, widows or children can claim a family supplement calculated from the deceased’s pension base. This allows privileges to pass on to subsequent generations, often decades after the war. The number of relatives of NOB participants is approximately six times greater than the number of direct participants. The highest annual supplements exceed €12,000 for old-age pensions, €13,000 for disability pensions, and even €14,500 for family pensions. Most recipients receive up to €5,000 annually, while a few dozen receive more than €10,000. Inheritance of privileges, specific examples One of the most prominent cases is Arnož Polič, born in 1983, son of actor Rade Polič (Raca) with a partisan background in his family. Arnož was granted the supplement in September 2022, according to media reports, based on his partisan ancestor. In 2025, he received an annual supplement of €32,355 (€2,696 net per month). The supplement was awarded in September 2022 as an inheritance from his father. This represents one of the highest inherited amounts in this category. Another notable example is Majda Branka Hribar, who has been receiving the supplement since 1969, that is, for 57 years. In 2025, ZPIZ paid her €16,868. Altogether over the years, this would amount to nearly a million euros borne by taxpayers. She inherited the supplement from her father, Janez Hribar (born in 1909 in Lož, died in 1967), a political commissar of the Notranjska detachment and a national hero. Nova24TV linked this to his role in events in the Iška canyon in 1942, where partisan units allegedly killed Romans (according to some sources, 42 or even 53 victims, including children and pregnant women). After the war, individuals connected to these events, including Janez Hribar, were declared national heroes. Among other examples of high amounts for family pensions are Andreja Lukač (€13,822 annually), Vesna Arhar (€12,824), and others. It is also interesting that some recipients have been receiving these benefits for several decades. For instance, another recipient has been receiving the supplement for over 50 years, highlighting the long-lasting nature of these privileges. Information officer Dr. Jelena Virant Burnik initially allowed the publication of names and amounts of recipients of borčevski supplements, but later refused to disclose their birth years. This decision raises further questions about transparency and accountability regarding these long-standing benefits. Some critics argue that these privileges should be reviewed in light of modern social values and fiscal responsibility. Others maintain that they are a legitimate legacy of historical contributions. Regardless of perspectives, the continuation of these benefits underscores the complex interplay between historical recognition and contemporary economic realities.