A Fresh Start for the elderly: 10 concrete measures for greater dignity, justice and peace of mind

Alex Borg announces a strong package of proposals for the elderly and pensioners: more money in their pockets, higher pensions, greater support for care, free family doctor services and medicines delivered to their homes

The Partit Nazzjonalista wants to give A Fresh Start to our elderly through a package of 10 concrete measures that provide greater dignity, greater justice and greater peace of mind to those who built Malta and Gozo.

During a press conference this morning, Partit Nazzjonalista Leader Alex Borg announced new proposals for the elderly and pensioners, built on two clear pillars: more money and financial assistance for the elderly, and more health services and support in the community and in their homes.

Alex Borg said that our elderly are the generation that built our families, built our country and made the sacrifices for Malta and Gozo to move forward. He therefore stressed that it is the duty of politics to support them, sustain them and ensure that they live with dignity, with a better quality of life and with the possibility of continuing to contribute to society.

The PN Leader said that in the months since he has been leading the Partit Nazzjonalista, he has met many elderly people in their homes, in their communities and in several elderly care homes. He said that he listened closely to their difficulties, understood the burden they are carrying because of the rising cost of living, and today the PN is presenting concrete solutions that address their real needs.

Alex Borg recalled that Nationalist Governments have always invested strongly in services for the elderly, including the home help service, the handyman service, nursing services at home, Meals on Wheels, Telecare and the POYC service. He said that a new Nationalist Government will build on this legacy and strengthen it with new measures for today’s challenges.

He also recalled that the Partit Nazzjonalista has already announced several proposals that directly affect the elderly, including reducing electricity bills by an average of 30%, lowering taxes, new hospitals to reduce waiting times, and free cancer medicines when prescribed by the consultant.

Together with Partit Nazzjonalista candidates Graham Bencini and Paula Mifsud Bonnici, the PN Leader gave details of the new measures, which are only a few of the various proposals that the Partit Nazzjonalista will have in its electoral programme for this sector:

1. More money in the hands of elderly people living in elderly care homes
   A new Nationalist Government will reduce the amount taken by the Government from the pension of a person residing in an elderly care home from a maximum of 80% to no more than 50%, so that the elderly person keeps at least half of their pension.
2. More support for elderly residents in private elderly care homes
   The PN will increase the tax deduction benefit for those who have relatives in private elderly care homes from €4,500 to €7,000 a year. Elderly people who, due to lack of space, are sent to private homes will continue to benefit from the same facilities and services as if they had remained in a Government-run elderly care home.
3. A higher annual grant for elderly people who continue living at home
   The PN will double the grant for elderly people who continue living in their own homes.
4. Elderly people aged 80 or over will start receiving €1,050 a year instead of €525.
5. Those aged between 75 and 79 will start receiving €850 a year instead of €425.
6. A new category will be introduced for elderly people aged between 70 and 74, who will start receiving €500 a year.
7. A greater incentive for those investing in a private pension
   The annual limit on qualifying contributions to a Personal Retirement Scheme will increase from €3,000 to €4,000 a year. The 25% tax credit will apply to the full new limit, so that the maximum credit will increase from €750 to €1,000 a year.
8. A permanent increase in pensions every year
   Pensioners will receive an increase of at least €650 a year in their pension. This will be an increase guaranteed every year on a permanent basis, not a one-off or temporary measure.
9. A larger grant for women who worked at home to raise a family
   The PN will increase the grant for women who worked at home to raise a family to €2,000 a year. This is a measure that recognises those who stopped working, or did not enter the workforce, in order to take care of their family. It will be paid in two payments of €1,000 each every six months.
10. A pre-retirement training programme
    Two years before the expected retirement date, the worker will be given a structured programme to be better prepared for this transition. This will include financial planning, health and wellbeing, creative activities, volunteering and digital literacy.
11. A grant for grandparents who take care of their grandchildren
    To recognise the role of grandparents as the backbone of the Maltese family, a new Nationalist Government will give a direct pension supplement of up to €2,000 a year for every child under the age of three cared for by a grandmother or grandfather while the parents are at work. This scheme will operate in parallel with the free childcare scheme, so that parents may freely choose what is best for their family.
12. Free family doctor services for the elderly
    A Nationalist Government will ensure that elderly people can use the services of the family doctor of their choice free of charge. This will include follow-ups and home visits where necessary, in order to strengthen prevention, improve continuity of care and reduce pressure on the Emergency Department.
13. Medicines delivered directly to elderly people’s homes
    A new Nationalist Government will implement, in its first year, the promise that the present Government left on the shelf: free medicines delivered directly to the homes of elderly people. This measure will be particularly important for those with limited mobility or without transport, and will cover all prescribed medicines that are provided free of charge.

The Partit Nazzjonalista speakers said that these measures are needed now more than ever because the cost of living has exploded and the needs of the elderly, including food, medicines and essential services, keep increasing. They said that a new Nationalist Government will invest in the elderly so that they may live a more comfortable, more independent life, with greater peace of mind.

They stressed that the elderly deserve better than fine words. The vision of the Partit Nazzjonalista is for Malta to be a country that looks at its elderly as people who have given, and who continue to give, an important contribution to families and to our country.

11.05.2026

11.05.2026