Thousands of Greeks have been receiving pensions despite being long dead, the Labour Minister said on Monday, promising to crack down on social security fraud that is costing the debt-laden country millions each year.
Minister Louka Katseli also said the government is investigating a suspiciously high number of people over the age of 100 and still drawing their pensions. Data crosschecks had revealed that about 4,500 deceased civil servants continued getting their pension cheques, burdening taxpayers with more than 16 million euros ($23 million) each year, Katseli told daily Ta Nea in an interview. Greek authorities keep poor records and citizens often fail to declare the death of relatives to continue cashing in their pensions.