The President of Russia has signed the laws on the pension benefits, social insurance and social support measures for the citizens living in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. The laws establishing the transition period in the social sector in the new regions of Russia will come into force on March 1, 2023.
To receive a pension, the citizens will need to submit an application to the Social Fund branch at the place of their residence. In addition to the application, proof of employment history will be required. If there are no documents confirming their past employment, citizens will be able to submit a certificate issued by a regional interdepartmental commission. When calculating the amount of a pension, earnings for the years since the introduction of the individual personalized accounting system will be counted according to the average salary level in the Republic of Crimea and the Rostov Region. Citizens will retain their existing regional pension benefits until they are able to receive a pension under the Russian law.
Additionally, from March 1, residents of the new Russian regions will be able to receive compulsory social insurance payments: temporary disability benefits, maternity benefits, monthly child care allowance for children under the age of 1.5 years payable to the employed citizens. Data on labor income since the constituent entities' accession to the Russian Federation will be used to calculate the amount of such benefits. For example, in 2023, the calculation period will be 3 months, from September 30, 2022, to December 31, 2022; in 2024, the period from September 30, 2022, to December 31, 2023, will be taken into account. In addition, from March 1, residents of the new Russian regions will be able to receive payments under compulsory social insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases.
From March 1, the all-Russian measures of social protection will also apply to citizens with disabilities, veterans and disabled veterans of the Great Patriotic War and combat operations, family members of military personnel and other benefit-entitled categories of citizens. At the same time, preservative measures are put in place: citizens will be able to receive benefits they were entitled to under the old legal acts until they can receive benefits under the Russian legislation.