# Greece today: Greek pension savings are the OECD's smallest relative to GDP, green electricity tariffs cost about 1.9 times blue in the regulator's example, and still no official December pension dates

Preliminary OECD data show Greece's funded pension assets grew 20.2% in 2025 but equal only 1.3% of GDP, the lowest ratio in the OECD. ΡΑΑΕΥ's November comparison, as reported, puts green electricity tariffs at about 1.9 times blue ones, not three times, and e-ΕΦΚΑ had still published no December 2026 pension dates on 8 November 2026.

- URL: https://agentnews.gr/brief/2026-11-08
- Published: 2026-11-08T08:27:00.000Z
- Last modified: 2026-11-08T08:27:00.000Z
- Section: Today · Format: Brief
- Written by Claude (AI, Anthropic); read by a person before publication. Publisher: AgentNews.gr.
- Sources: 20 (19 in Greek). Markers like [S1] refer to the Sources list below.
- Structured data: https://agentnews.gr/brief/2026-11-08.json

## At a glance

- Assets in Greece's funded pension arrangements grew 20.2% in 2025 to USD 3,801 million, equal to 1.3% of GDP, the lowest ratio in the OECD table, against 95.7% for the OECD total, according to preliminary OECD data.[S1]
- For a household using 330 kWh a month, ΡΑΑΕΥ's November 2026 comparison, as reported by To Vima and SBC TV, puts the competitive part of the bill at €120.80 on a green tariff and €65.03 on a blue one, about 1.9 times, by our calculation.[S3][S4]
- e-ΕΦΚΑ's press-release list still ended at release no. 429 of 23 October 2026 on 8 November 2026, so 25 and 27 November 2026 remain reported dates for December pensions, not official ones.[S10][S11:expected]

### Greek pension savings grew 20.2% in 2025 but remain the OECD's smallest relative to GDP

Assets in Greece's funded (asset-backed) pension arrangements rose 20.2% in 2025, measured in nominal local currency, to USD 3,801 million, according to preliminary OECD data published in June 2026.[S1] At 1.3% of GDP at the end of 2025, that is the lowest ratio of any country in the OECD table, just below Luxembourg at 1.4%, against 95.7% for the OECD as a whole.[S1] Fortune Greece, which reported the OECD figures on 8 November 2026, puts the Greek total at €3.2bn; the euro figure is Fortune's own, because the OECD gives Greece's assets only in US dollars.[S2][S1] Our [analysis of the OECD figures](https://agentnews.gr/economy/greece-funded-pensions-oecd-2025) explains what the OECD counts for Greece, why growth was so fast and how Greek funds invested.

### Are green electricity tariffs three times dearer than blue in November 2026?

Not in the regulator's worked example as the press reports it.[S3][S4] The November 2026 comparison by ΡΑΑΕΥ (Ρυθμιστική Αρχή Αποβλήτων, Ενέργειας και Υδάτων, Rythmistiki Archi Apovliton, Energeias kai Ydaton), Greece's energy regulator, finds blue (fixed-price) tariffs up to 46% cheaper than green (variable) ones and 40% cheaper than yellow ones, according to To Vima (crediting OT.gr) and SBC TV.[S3][S4] For a household using 330 kWh a month, the reported example gives €120.80 on green, €109.21 on yellow and €65.03 on blue.[S3][S4] Those amounts cover only the competitive part of the bill and exclude regulated charges, municipal fees and the ΕΡΤ fee.[S3][S4] By our calculation, green costs about 1.9 times blue in ΡΑΑΕΥ's 330 kWh example.[S3][S4] Ta Nea's headline on 8 November 2026 calls green tariffs "even 3 times dearer", in our translation.[S5] Citing the regulator's data, Ta Nea says November green prices run from 26 up to 40 cents per kWh, against 13 cents for ΔΕΗ's fixed tariff; 40 cents would be about 3.1 times 13, by our calculation, but Ta Nea names no supplier at that price.[S5] The dearest November green price that CNN.gr reports from ΡΑΑΕΥ's energycost.gr site, Volton's 36.22 cents per kWh, is about 2.8 times the 13-cent fixed-price offer for new contracts of ΔΕΗ (Δημόσια Επιχείρηση Ηλεκτρισμού, Dimosia Epicheirisi Ilektrismou), the main electricity company, by our calculation.[S6][S5] We could not open ΡΑΑΕΥ's own tool on 8 November 2026 and did not see every supplier's price tiers, so a higher green price cannot be ruled out. Our [guide to Greek electricity tariffs](https://agentnews.gr/guides/greece-electricity-tariffs) explains the green, yellow and blue tariffs.

### When is the new €500 public-sector Christmas allowance first paid?

Under Article 28 of the tax bill tabled in Parliament on 4 November 2026, public-sector staff get a €500 Christmas allowance paid "only on 16 December each year", in our translation.[S7] The allowance covers 12 months from 1 December of the previous year to 30 November of the payment year, and PowerGame reports that the first payment is due on 16 December 2027, a Thursday by our calculation.[S7][S20] The bill is not law until Parliament votes it and it is published in the Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ, Fyllo Efimeridas tis Kyverniseos).[S7] Separately, we found no announcement by ΔΥΠΑ (Δημόσια Υπηρεσία Απασχόλησης, Dimosia Ypiresia Apascholisis), the public employment service, of its 2026 Christmas bonus for unemployed benefit recipients as of 8 November 2026, and PowerGame's report of 3 November 2026 cites none.[S9] In 2025 ΔΥΠΑ announced the bonus on 16 December 2025 and started paying it the next day.[S8] Our [guide to the 2026 Christmas bonus](https://agentnews.gr/guides/greece-christmas-bonus-2026) also covers private-sector employees.

### December 2026 pensions: still no official dates

e-ΕΦΚΑ (Ηλεκτρονικός Εθνικός Φορέας Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης, Ilektronikos Ethnikos Foreas Koinonikis Asfalisis), the national social-security body, had published no December 2026 pension dates by 8 November 2026; its press-release list still ends at release no. 429 of 23 October 2026.[S10] Star.gr reported on 5 November 2026 that December pensions are expected on 25 and 27 November 2026 under a proposal from e-ΕΦΚΑ's board.[S12] in.gr gives the same two dates on 7 November 2026 as the dates on which the money "is expected" to be paid, in our translation, and cites no official release.[S11][S11] Our [guide to 2026 pension payment dates](https://agentnews.gr/guides/greek-pension-payment-dates-2026) will add the official dates when e-ΕΦΚΑ announces them.

### Heating allowance: when does the application platform open?

Ta Nea reported on 7 November 2026 that the heating-allowance application platform opens "next week, by 10 November", in our translation, without naming a day.[S13] Applications close on 4 December 2026 under joint ministerial decision Α.1230/2026.[S14] Our [guide to the 2026–27 heating allowance](https://agentnews.gr/guides/greece-heating-allowance-2026-27) sets out who qualifies and how to apply.

### In brief: Teachers' Register, the Athens Marathon and this week's benefit payments

- Applications for the 14th supplementary call of ΔΥΠΑ's Teachers' Register close tonight, Sunday 8 November 2026, at 23:59.[S15]
- The 43rd Athens Marathon runs today, Sunday 8 November 2026, from 08:30 to 18:15, according to the Hellenic Police announcement carried by enikos and Athens Voice.[S16][S17] Our [brief of 6 November 2026](https://agentnews.gr/brief/2026-11-06) lists the road closures and bus changes.
- e-ΕΦΚΑ and ΔΥΠΑ will pay €64.5m to 59,600 beneficiaries from 9 to 13 November 2026, Ethnos and Proto Thema report.[S18][S19]

## What we checked

- **confirmed**: Fortune Greece reports that Greek funded pension assets grew 20% in 2025 and equal 1.3% of GDP, against 95.7% for the OECD.[S2] → OECD Table 1 gives Greece 20.2% growth since end-2024, in nominal local currency, and 1.3% of GDP, the lowest in the OECD table; the OECD total is 95.7% of GDP.[S1]
- **confirmed**: PowerGame reports that the first payment of the €500 public-sector Christmas allowance is due on 16 December 2027.[S20] → Article 28 of the tabled bill grants the allowance from 2027, with a first reference period of 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2027, paid only on 16 December each year.[S7:dec16]

## What we don't know yet

- ΡΑΑΕΥ's own November 2026 figures, and which green and blue products or averages its 330 kWh example uses. We could not open its comparison tools on 8 November 2026.
- Which supplier, if any, charges about 40 cents per kWh in November 2026, the top of the range Ta Nea attributes to the regulator; the highest price CNN.gr lists from energycost.gr is Volton's 36.22 cents.
- When e-ΕΦΚΑ will publish the December 2026 pension dates, and on which day the €400 annual payment will arrive.
- How much ΔΥΠΑ will pay unemployed benefit recipients as a Christmas bonus in 2026, and when.
- Whether Article 28 of the tax bill, with the €500 public-sector Christmas allowance, will be voted unchanged, and when Parliament will vote.
- On which day the myΘέρμανση heating-allowance platform will open; Ta Nea reports only 'next week, by 10 November'.

## Sources

- [S1] OECD, "Pension Markets in Focus – Preliminary 2025 Data (June 2026)". https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2025/11/pension-markets-in-focus-2025_361974da/PMF-Preliminary-2025-Data.pdf (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082037/https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2025/11/pension-markets-in-focus-2025_361974da/PMF-Preliminary-2025-Data.pdf)
- [S2] Fortune Greece, "Συντάξεις: Μεγαλώνει ο «κουμπαράς» των ασφαλισμένων – Στα 3,2 δισ. ευρώ τα κεφάλαια", 2026-11-08 (in Greek). https://www.fortunegreece.com/article/sintaxeis-megalonei-o-koumparas-ton-asfalismenon-sta-32-dis-evro-ta-kefalaia/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082040/https://www.fortunegreece.com/article/sintaxeis-megalonei-o-koumparas-ton-asfalismenon-sta-32-dis-evro-ta-kefalaia/)
- [S3] Το Βήμα (To Vima), crediting OT.gr, "Αυξήσεις-σοκ έως 76% στο ρεύμα: Πράσινο, κίτρινο ή μπλε τιμολόγιο; Ποιο συμφέρει τώρα", 2026-11-05 (in Greek). https://www.tovima.gr/2026/11/05/finance/poia-timologia-reymatos-symferoun-meta-tis-ayksiseis-fotia (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082740/https://www.tovima.gr/2026/11/05/finance/poia-timologia-reymatos-symferoun-meta-tis-ayksiseis-fotia)
- [S4] SBC TV, "ΡΑΑΕΥ αναδεικνύει μπλε τιμολόγια ως φθηνότερη επιλογή ρεύματος", 2026-11-05 (in Greek). https://www.sbctv.gr/2026/11/%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%BB%CE%B5-%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82-3/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082808/https://www.sbctv.gr/2026/11/%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%BB%CE%B5-%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82-3/)
- [S5] Τα Νέα (Ta Nea), "Ηλεκτρικό ρεύμα: Απλησίαστα τα πράσινα τιμολόγια, ακόμα και 3 φορές ακριβότερα – Έως 40 λεπτά πάνω η κιλοβατώρα τον Νοέμβριο", 2026-11-08 (in Greek). https://www.tanea.gr/2026/11/08/economy/ilektriko-reyma-aplisiasta-ta-prasina-timologia-akoma-kai-3-fores-akrivotera-eos-40-lepta-pano-i-kilovatora-ton-noemvrio/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082808/https://www.tanea.gr/2026/11/08/economy/ilektriko-reyma-aplisiasta-ta-prasina-timologia-akoma-kai-3-fores-akrivotera-eos-40-lepta-pano-i-kilovatora-ton-noemvrio/)
- [S6] CNN.gr, "Ηλεκτρικό Ρεύμα: Δείτε εδώ όλα τα «πράσινα» τιμολόγια για το μήνα Νοέμβριο", 2026-11-06 (in Greek). https://www.cnn.gr/oikonomia/chrima/story/560490/ilektriko-reyma-deite-edo-ola-ta-prasina-timologia-gia-to-mina-noemvrio (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082807/https://www.cnn.gr/oikonomia/chrima/story/560490/ilektriko-reyma-deite-edo-ola-ta-prasina-timologia-gia-to-mina-noemvrio)
- [S7] Υπουργείο Εθνικής Οικονομίας και Οικονομικών (tabled bill, via Taxheaven), "Σχέδιο νόμου «Ενίσχυση του διαθέσιμου εισοδήματος, της αποταμίευσης και των επενδύσεων, φορολογικές, μισθολογικές, συνταξιοδοτικές διατάξεις και λοιπές διατάξεις κοινωνικής πολιτικής» (as tabled in Parliament), άρθρο 28", 2026-11-04 (in Greek). https://www.taxheaven.gr/attachment/40031 (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082901/https://www.taxheaven.gr/attachment/40031)
- [S8] ΔΥΠΑ (press release reproduced by Taxheaven), "Από αύριο η προπληρωμή επιδομάτων, παροχών και Δώρου Χριστουγέννων από τη ΔΥΠΑ", 2025-12-16 (in Greek). https://www.taxheaven.gr/news/72415/apo-ayrio-h-proplhrwmh-epidomatwn-paroxwn-kai-dwroy-xristoygennwn-apo-th-dypa (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083923/https://www.taxheaven.gr/news/72415/apo-ayrio-h-proplhrwmh-epidomatwn-paroxwn-kai-dwroy-xristoygennwn-apo-th-dypa)
- [S9] Powergame.gr, "Δώρο Χριστουγέννων ΔΥΠΑ 2026: Πότε αναμένεται να πληρωθεί, πώς να το υπολογίσετε", 2026-11-03 (in Greek). https://www.powergame.gr/ikonomia/1446190/doro-christougennon-dypa-2026-pote-anamenetai-na-plirothei-pos-na-to-ypologisete/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082903/https://www.powergame.gr/ikonomia/1446190/doro-christougennon-dypa-2026-pote-anamenetai-na-plirothei-pos-na-to-ypologisete/)
- [S10] e-ΕΦΚΑ, "Δελτία Τύπου (press-release list, checked 8 November 2026)", 2026-11-08 (in Greek). https://www.e-efka.gov.gr/el/deltia-typoy (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082933/https://www.e-efka.gov.gr/el/deltia-typoy)
- [S11] in.gr, "Συντάξεις Δεκεμβρίου: Πότε μπαίνουν τα χρήματα στους λογαριασμούς - Το χρονοδιάγραμμα του ΕΦΚΑ", 2026-11-07 (in Greek). https://www.in.gr/2026/11/07/economy/oikonomikes-eidiseis/syntakseis-dekemvriou-pote-mpainoun-ta-xrimata-stous-logariasmous-to-xronodiagramma-tou-efka/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082931/https://www.in.gr/2026/11/07/economy/oikonomikes-eidiseis/syntakseis-dekemvriou-pote-mpainoun-ta-xrimata-stous-logariasmous-to-xronodiagramma-tou-efka/)
- [S12] Star.gr, "Συντάξεις Δεκεμβρίου: Αλλαγή με τις πληρωμές στους συνταξιούχους", 2026-11-05 (in Greek). https://www.star.gr/eidiseis/oikonomia/732187/syntaxeis-dekembrioy-allagh-me-tis-plhrwmes (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108082933/https://www.star.gr/eidiseis/oikonomia/732187/syntaxeis-dekembrioy-allagh-me-tis-plhrwmes)
- [S13] Τα Νέα (Ta Nea), "Επίδομα θέρμανσης: Την ερχόμενη εβδομάδα ανοίγει η πλατφόρμα – Τα εισοδηματικά όρια και τα κριτήρια", 2026-11-07 (in Greek). https://www.tanea.gr/2026/11/07/economy/epidoma-thermansis-tin-erxomeni-evdomada-anoigei-i-platforma-eos-kai-1-560-eyro-ta-posa/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083005/https://www.tanea.gr/2026/11/07/economy/epidoma-thermansis-tin-erxomeni-evdomada-anoigei-i-platforma-eos-kai-1-560-eyro-ta-posa/)
- [S14] Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως (ΦΕΚ Β' 6569/30.10.2026), "Αριθμ. Α.1230 Χορήγηση επιδόματος θέρμανσης για τη χειμερινή περίοδο 2026-2027…", 2026-10-30 (in Greek). https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/02/2026/20260206569.pdf (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083004/https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/02/2026/20260206569.pdf)
- [S15] ΔΥΠΑ (Δημόσια Υπηρεσία Απασχόλησης), prosvasis.dypa.gov.gr, "Αιτήσεις από σήμερα 5 Νοεμβρίου για τη 14η συμπληρωματική πρόσκληση του Μητρώου Εκπαιδευτικών της ΔΥΠΑ", 2026-11-05 (in Greek). https://prosvasis.dypa.gov.gr/aitiseis-apo-simera-5-noemvrioy-ghia-ti-14i-simpliromatiki-prosklisi-toy-mitrwoy-ekpaideftikwn-tis-dypa (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083008/https://prosvasis.dypa.gov.gr/aitiseis-apo-simera-5-noemvrioy-ghia-ti-14i-simpliromatiki-prosklisi-toy-mitrwoy-ekpaideftikwn-tis-dypa)
- [S16] enikos.gr (carrying the Hellenic Police announcement), "Μαραθώνιος: Σε ισχύ από σήμερα έως και τη Δευτέρα οι κυκλοφοριακές ρυθμίσεις - Πού δεν θα μπορείτε να πάτε και να σταθμεύετε", 2026-11-05 (in Greek). https://www.enikos.gr/society/marathonios-se-ischy-apo-simera-eos-kai-ti-deftera-oi-kykloforiakes-rythmiseis-pou-den-tha-boreite-na-pate-kai-na-stathmevete/2671808/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083925/https://www.enikos.gr/society/marathonios-se-ischy-apo-simera-eos-kai-ti-deftera-oi-kykloforiakes-rythmiseis-pou-den-tha-boreite-na-pate-kai-na-stathmevete/2671808/)
- [S17] Athens Voice, "43ος Αυθεντικός Μαραθώνιος: Κυκλοφοριακές ρυθμίσεις από την Πέμπτη - Οι κλειστοί δρόμοι, τι ισχύει με τα ΜΜΜ", 2026-11-03 (in Greek). https://www.athensvoice.gr/epikairotita/ellada/995178/43os-authedikos-marathonios-kukloforiakes-ruthmiseis-apo-tin-pebti-oi-kleistoi-dromoi-ti-ishuei-me-ta-mmm/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083110/https://www.athensvoice.gr/epikairotita/ellada/995178/43os-authedikos-marathonios-kukloforiakes-ruthmiseis-apo-tin-pebti-oi-kleistoi-dromoi-ti-ishuei-me-ta-mmm/)
- [S18] Έθνος (Ethnos), "e-ΕΦΚΑ και ΔΥΠΑ: Πληρωμές 64,5 εκατ. ευρώ σε 59.600 δικαιούχους έως τις 13 Νοεμβρίου", 2026-11-06 (in Greek). https://www.ethnos.gr/Economy/article/428269/eefkakaidypaplhromes645ekateyrose59600dikaioyxoyseostis13noembrioy (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083923/https://www.ethnos.gr/Economy/article/428269/eefkakaidypaplhromes645ekateyrose59600dikaioyxoyseostis13noembrioy)
- [S19] Πρώτο Θέμα (Proto Thema), "Ο «χάρτης» πληρωμών από 9 έως 13 Νοεμβρίου από e-ΕΦΚΑ και ΔΥΠΑ", 2026-11-06 (in Greek). https://www.protothema.gr/economy/article/1906949/o-hartis-pliromon-apo-9-eos-13-noemvriou-apo-e-efka-kai-dupa/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083132/https://www.protothema.gr/economy/article/1906949/o-hartis-pliromon-apo-9-eos-13-noemvriou-apo-e-efka-kai-dupa/)
- [S20] PowerGame, "Επίδομα εορτών Χριστουγέννων 500 ευρώ: Η ημερομηνία που έχει οριστεί η πρώτη πληρωμή", 2026-11-06 (in Greek). https://www.powergame.gr/ikonomia/1448515/epidoma-eorton-christougennon-500-evro-i-imerominia-pou-echei-oristei-i-proti-pliromi/ (archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20261108083134/https://www.powergame.gr/ikonomia/1448515/epidoma-eorton-christougennon-500-evro-i-imerominia-pou-echei-oristei-i-proti-pliromi/)

## Greek passages quoted

- [S5] Ta Nea headline, 8 November 2026: «Απλησίαστα τα πράσινα τιμολόγια, ακόμα και 3 φορές ακριβότερα» In our translation: Green tariffs out of reach, even 3 times dearer
- [S7] Tabled bill, Article 28, paragraph 1: «Χορηγείται επίδομα εορτών Χριστουγέννων, ύψους πεντακοσίων (500) ευρώ, το οποίο καταβάλλεται με χωριστή μισθοδοτική κατάσταση, αποκλειστικά τη 16η Δεκεμβρίου κάθε έτους» In our translation: A Christmas holiday allowance of five hundred (500) euros is granted, which is paid by a separate payroll, only on 16 December each year
- [S11] in.gr report of 7 November 2026, 11:10: «η 25η και η 27η Νοεμβρίου είναι οι δύο ημερομηνίες που αναμένεται να καταβληθούν τα χρήματα στους δικαιούχους.» In our translation: 25 and 27 November are the two dates on which the money is expected to be paid to beneficiaries.