Since November, the Social Fund of Russia (SFR) has assumed the responsibilities of the pension authorities of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Zaporozhye region. Regional pensions and benefit payments for residents previously registered with local pension funds are now provided by Social Fund branches.
The agreement transferring pension functions was signed by SFR Chairman Sergey Chirkov and the government of the DPR, represented by Acting Minister of Labor and Social Policy Denis Strelchenko. In the Zaporozhye region, pension payment authority was transferred to the Social Fund based on an agreement signed by SFR Chairman Sergey Chirkov and Head of the Zaporozhye Regional Government Anton Koltsov.
"This step marks an important milestone in the development of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Zaporozhye region, and their integration into Russia's economic and legal system," noted Sergey Chirkov, Chairman of the Social Fund.
Client service offices of the Social Fund in the new regions have completed the necessary preparations to assume these responsibilities. Branches are operating normally and receiving citizens as usual. Benefits and all applicable support measures are being processed and paid according to schedule.
The full transfer of pension payment functions from regional authorities to the Social Fund is also being prepared in the Kherson region and the Lugansk People's Republic. The transition is expected to be completed by December 1 of this year.
It should be noted that the Social Fund began paying federal pensions in the new constituent entities in March of this year, following the enactment of legislation integrating the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions into Russia's pension system. Previously, pensions in these regions were paid by local pension authorities. These functions have now been transferred to the Social Fund.