The proportion of people whose sickness benefits are delayed is very small, National Social Security Institute (NSSI) Director Yordan Hristoskov told a working meeting with journalists on Monday.

In 2007 the NSSI paid sickness benefits in 2.25 million cases. Only 1.78 per cent of them were paid after the prescribed 30-day deadline, Hristoskov said.

The reasons for such delays are almost always beyond the NSSI's control, Hristoskov said. He remains convinced of the advantages of the new system of sickness payments.

The NSSI and employers paid a total of 402 million leva in 2007.

The time of handling sickness payments can be shortened if medical treatment facilities make direct online reports to the NSSI, he said.

A pension calculator service should be created by the end of 2008 to allow insured persons to calculate the size of their future pensions.