The Social Fund has assigned pensions under Russian legislation to more than one million residents of the new constituent entities, according to Sergey Chirkov, Fund Chairman. 474,000 pensions have been issued in the Donetsk Republic, 373,000 in the Lugansk Republic, 140,500 in the Zaporozhye region, and 54,000 in the Kherson region.
"Currently, over one million citizens of Russia's four new constituent entities are receiving Russian pensions," Chirkov stated. "Our specialists continue working to assign benefits so that even more residents receive their entitled pension support and learn about other social assistance measures."
Pensions and benefits under Russian law became available to residents of the new regions this year. From March of the current year until March of the next, a transitional period is in effect during which citizens may apply for a Russian pension. In such cases, the pension will be assigned retroactively from March 1, 2023, but not earlier than the date the individual became eligible.
Those currently receiving pensions under regional laws of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions will continue to receive those payments until their benefits are reassigned under Russian standards. If, after recalculation, the new pension amount is lower than the previous one, payments will be maintained at the original level without reduction.
Applications for Russian pensions are accepted at Social Fund branches and multifunctional centers (MFCs) in the new regions. Citizens may also apply through the State Services portal, with required documents submitted to the Social Fund's client service offices.
Pensions and benefits may also be processed for citizens who have relocated outside the new regions. They should contact the nearest Social Fund branch or MFC.