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THE SOCIALLY EXCLUDEDCHAPTER 3reflecting those individuals who have retired over thepast 5 years and who have lower pensions on averagethan those who had retired before this time in similaroccupations. The average Croatian pension todayis approximately 42% of the average net income inCroatia. Therefore, the perspectives of those who arenow just entering into the age group of 65 and overare substantially worse than they once were.Based on their growing numbers, senior citizens inmost European countries have become an influentialinterest group. As such, they will have a strong say inmost of the important decisions in society, and willbe able to negotiate the most advantageous arrangementsfor their particular needs. If the elderly feelat ease in their present situation, they will be morelikely to use their influence to secure a long-termsustainable future, and focus less on their immediateshort-term needs. If, on the other hand, group membersfind themselves excluded and in dire need, theirdecisions will reflect this present situation instead.3.11.2 Access to Social ServicesThere are three types of social welfare institutions inCroatia that cater to the needs of senior citizens: theCSW, the social welfare residential institutions andsocial welfare service providers. According to the LabourForce Survey (2004) only 11,700 senior citizensreceived income from social welfare sources. Thebenefits range from assistance for heating, clothesand food, to the provision of funds, placement inhomes, and homecare. Table 6 illustrates the benefitsprovided by the Croatian social system, and whatpercentage of the clientele are senior citizens.The household income of senior citizens comes fromvarious types of pensions, however 72.5% of thesehouseholds still require support from family members.A relatively small number of households receiveregular social assistance, but many take advantage ofthe many types of occasional benefits such as incomesupplements, subsidized heating in the winter, orTable 6: Household earnings of the 65+ group, by typeIncome %Support from family members or relatives72.5Old age pension67.5Family pension25.6Earnings from work (self-employment, agriculture, employment)24.5Financial support from persons outside the household18.4Income supplement13.9Disability pension8.6Savings6Social welfare benefit (cash)5.4Informal type of work (gray economy)3.9Child benefit2.7Unemployment benefit0.7Social welfare benefit (in kind)0.7Housing support0.6Persons who combine welfare with other sources of income LFS(2004)43.3Source: UNDP (2006). Research on social exclusion in Croatia: Quality of Life and the risk of social exclusion. UNDP, Zagreb, Croatia, CBS101