Quit to earn: how to get a pension increase for a working pensioner

Expert: “Older people work to survive”

Working pensioners may again be left without indexation of pensions. Trade unions have repeatedly pointed out the illegality of the division of age citizens. However, despite all the statements, the draft federal budget for 2023-2025 does not provide for an increase in pensions for those who are officially employed. The situation is illogical: people have made a huge contribution to the country’s economy, but the state continues to save on them. Experts told MK whether working pensioners can count on an increase, and what needs to be done for this?

Ivan SAMOILENKO, Managing Partner, B&C Agency

“Firstly, the discussion of the budget for the next three years has not yet been completed, it is only at the stage of agreement. The final decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation and the State Duma are taken no earlier than October of each year, so changes can be expected. Secondly, every year since 2016 (when the indexation of pensions for working pensioners was stopped), various proposals are made from factions and non-factional deputies, providing tools for solving this problem.

Therefore, it is probably too early to draw final conclusions. The logic of the state is understandable: the burden on the country’s pension system is growing, the number of pensioners is increasing, and the number of working Russians is declining. In such conditions, the state is looking for ways to reduce costs, because it is necessary to solve a lot of other issues that concern absolutely the entire population of the country (medicine, education, etc.). The dissatisfaction of pensioners, who are often forced to work to provide for themselves, is also understandable, since pensions are not enough. But for this, the state also creates special employment programs for older people, and many now understand that the problem of forming their future pensions is still more the concern of the citizen himself.

It is worth waiting for specific decisions on the budget (it has not yet been agreed in the final version). It is quite possible that amendments will be made – the government is well aware that in the face of rising prices it becomes more difficult for citizens, special allowances are made for the poorest segments of the population (low-income citizens, large families, the disabled, etc.).”

Andrey LOBODA, Director of External Relations and CSR at BitRiver:

“For pensioners who are officially employed, it is enough to fill out a letter of resignation (even if for a short period, a month or two) in order to receive an additional payment from the Pension Fund and index their pension. But the majority of working older people are not even officially registered for work, which allows them to receive indexed payments and salaries at the same time. Regarding the budget for three years, we can say that there may still be amendments. Trade unions will make their proposals, the budget committee will consider, and there may be changes. The indexation of pensions for working pensioners has been asking for a long time. Older people are clearly working to survive.”