1999 Latvian pensions referendum

A referendum on state pensions was held in Latvia on 13 November 1999.^[1] A bill amending the state pension law had been passed by the Saeima on 5 August. It proposed equalising the retirement age of 60 for men and 57.5 for women at 62 by 2006, as well as beginning to withhold pensions from pensioners earning more than double the state pension the following year and withholding payments to all pensioners earning an income by 2005.^[2]

1999 Latvian pensions referendum

13 November 1999 (1999-11-13)
Are you in favor of repealing the amendments of 5 August 1999 to the People's Pension Law?
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 320,071 94.63% No 18,160 5.37% Valid votes 338,231 99.52% Invalid or blank votes 1,648 0.48% Total votes 339,879 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 1,354,099 25.1%

Voters were asked "are you for or against the repeal of the Amendments in the Law on State Pensions of 5/8/1999?"^[3] A large majority (95%) voted in favour of repealing the law, although voter turnout was just 25%.^[3]

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		320,071	94.63
Against		18,160	5.37
Total		338,231	100.00
Valid votes		338,231	99.52
Invalid/blank votes		1,648	0.48
Total votes		339,879	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		1,354,099	25.10
Source: Nohlen & Stöver