This means that pensioners will receive the amounts in question on December 5.

Normally, pension payments take place on the 8th of each month. The government justifies the early payment by stating that this day coincides with a public holiday:

"December pensions and the Christmas bonus will be paid earlier: on Friday, December 5. The early payment is due to the fact that December 8, the usual payment day, coincides with a public holiday," reads the publication shared by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

This means that the payment is "made before the long weekend," the government emphasises.

Meanwhile, pensioners of the Caixa Geral de Aposentações (CGA) will receive their Christmas bonus along with their pension on November 19, according to the calendar published on the institution's website.