What is pre-retirement status and how to get it

In connection with the pension reform of 2019, a new category of citizens appeared in Russia – pre-retirees. How to obtain pre-retirement status and what it gives – in the Kommersant material.

Who are pre-retirees

Pre-retirement age begins five years before the start of the old-age insurance pension. This age category appeared along with the reform in 2019. The time for retirement has been pushed back, resulting in the need to compensate for the costs of Russians who did not have much time left before retirement. Pre-retirement status is intended to smooth out the negative consequences of the “deferment” and preserve part of the social guarantees.

Who can receive pre-retirement status

To obtain pre-retirement status, you must first reach pre-retirement age: 55 years for women and 60 years for men. You must have the insurance experience necessary to assign an old-age insurance pension, or the title “Veteran of Labor” or “Veteran of Military Service”.

If a citizen retires early, his pre-retirement status begins to apply five years before the assigned pension. For example, if a man at the age of 57 retires early due to the harmfulness of production, then at the age of 52 his pre-retirement age begins.

Where to apply for pre-retirement status and what documents are needed

Muscovites can submit an application for pre-retirement status only online at mos.ru. In the regions, either a personal visit to the local branch of the Pension Fund is required, or submission of an application through the Gosuslugi portal or on the Pension Fund website.

To fill out the online application, you need an identity card, information about your place of residence, SNILS, as well as information about the assignment of the title “Veteran of Labor” (if available).

After submitting an online request, the information will be sent to the Social Security Administration. The processing time for an application for status assignment is three working days. You can apply for pre-retirement status no earlier than the day you reach pre-retirement age.

What does pre-retirement status give?

In terms of their status and the benefits provided by law, pre-retirees are de facto practically equal to pensioners. Moreover, the range of their benefits is even wider than that of pensioners. In addition to tax benefits, compensation for the cost of travel on public transport, benefits for medical care, and reductions in prices for housing and communal services, pre-retirees received “their own” special benefits. And this is: an annual two-day paid leave for medical examination, additional training while taking time off from work, the right to receive a funded part of a pension for those who have lost their jobs. Among the important measures to protect pre-retirees is criminal liability for employers for dismissal or refusal to hire due to age.

Pre-retirees are paid increased unemployment benefits, and they also receive a guaranteed share of the inheritance, even if they are not included in the will. In addition, they can repair dentures free of charge or order the production of new ones. Also, non-working pre-retirement people who need treatment for medical reasons are given free vouchers to sanatoriums. At the same time, they are reimbursed for travel expenses by rail to the place of treatment and back.