Starting 2024, it will be about 20 thousand rubles
Next year, the size of the early unemployment pension will increase by a thousand rubles to 19.6 thousand — 20% lower than the old-age insurance pension . The Accounts Chamber reports this in its conclusion on the draft budget of the Social Fund for the next three years. We are talking about payments to those Russians who are officially registered as unemployed and fired two years before the retirement age — 65 and 60 years for men and women, respectively.
It is no secret that pre-retirees are the most vulnerable category in the labor market. If a person is well over 50, then losing his job is a real tragedy for him. If employers offer any work, it will be low-paid or with difficult working conditions. And before going on “well-deserved rest” with a guaranteed payment from the state, there are still 10-15 years…
However, our fellow citizens have such an opportunity — to apply for “early term”. But according to the law, no earlier than 2 years before the official retirement age. And to get it you need to meet certain conditions.
The pre-retirement employee must be dismissed not of his own free will, but due to staff reduction or liquidation of his enterprise. In addition, men must have at least 25 years of insurance coverage, and women must have five years less. And the total number of pension points must be 25.8 and above.
There are not so many of these throughout vast Russia – we are talking about several tens of thousands of people. The size of the “early term” increases every year; in the period from 2024 to 2026 it will increase by an average of 17% and by the end of the three-year period it will amount to 21.6 thousand rubles.
A lot has been said about the plight of Russian pensioners. Since 2016, pensions for working veterans have not been indexed. For those who do not work, they increase slightly more than the rate of inflation, but, according to the elderly, financial assistance leaves much to be desired.
It is difficult to disagree with this statement. According to international practice, the pension should be at least 40% of lost earnings. This ratio allows older people to live with dignity and deny themselves almost nothing. Unfortunately, in Russia this criterion is not met. According to Rosstat, last year this figure was only 27.3%, although back in 2015 it reached 35.2%.
What motivates a person if, in our difficult times, he dares to go “early”, losing 20% of his insurance pension? In search of an answer to this question, MK turned to Alexander Safonov, Doctor of Economics, Vice-Rector of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
— In this regard, there are no restrictions — neither by industry, nor by profession. The basis for assigning an early pension is one condition: the citizen cannot find a job for a long period of time.
— Not very much. Over the years, the figure ranged from 28 thousand to 40 thousand people.
— People do not have the right to decide whether to leave early. This initiative comes from the employment service. Of course, a person can ask, but he may be refused if he does not meet certain criteria set by the state.
Let's say a 62-year-old man loses his job as a result of layoffs. He registers with the Employment Service, where they look for a vacancy for him. If the search is not successful within a year, he is given an “early extension” 2 years before retirement age and not earlier.
— Within six months of unemployment benefits. At first, no more than 60% of the lost salary, but not higher than the subsistence level. And then 40%. For pre-retirees, the benefit payment period has been increased to a year.
— Nothing of the kind. It all depends on the length of service and the amount of insurance contributions to the Social (former Pension) Fund, that is, on salary. If a person, say, worked for 40 years at work — and this is a typical story for men — and received a normal salary, then his early pension may be higher than that of a neighbor who retired at the required 65 years, but has less work experience.