During a meeting with St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the proposal to reinstate pension indexation for working pensioners.
Key Points from the Meeting
- Labor Market Factors: Putin highlighted that the current economic climate is characterized by a shortage of labor. He emphasized the importance of supporting pensioners and those nearing retirement, as they are experienced and skilled professionals.
- Social Justice: Putin stated that social justice should be a priority in policy decisions. He acknowledged that the issue of pension indexation has been discussed multiple times, noting that its resolution would require additional budgetary expenditures.
- Budgetary Implications: The need for additional budgetary allocations was underscored as a significant challenge in reinstating pension indexation.
Statements from Financial Authorities
- Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance: Confirmed that the topic of pension indexation for working pensioners is currently under discussion. He clarified that this issue is not related to tax matters, as pension payments are funded by the Social Fund.
- Social Fund Data: The fund reported a decrease in the disparity between the average payments for working and non-working pensioners, with a difference of 5,600 rubles observed in January 2024. This marks the first reduction in over two years.
Broader Context
- Economic Considerations: Reinstating pension indexation aligns with efforts to address labor shortages by incentivizing experienced professionals to remain in the workforce.
- Historical Discussions: The topic has been a recurring issue in policy discussions, reflecting ongoing concerns about the financial well-being of working pensioners.
This proposal, if implemented, would represent a significant policy shift aimed at improving the financial conditions for working pensioners, thereby enhancing social equity and supporting the labor market.
Photo: Screenshot from a video on YouTube