Speaker Ghalebaf Champions Pensioners: A New Dawn for Restored Benefits
In a significant move underscoring the legislative branch’s commitment to social welfare, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalebaf is spearheading a decisive effort to restore the suspended benefits of the nation’s retirees and pensioners.
A Firm Directive from the Top
The initiative was brought to light by Babak Rezazadeh, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament’s Health and Treatment Commission. He confirmed that Speaker Ghalebaf has issued an official directive to relevant executive bodies, demanding an immediate resolution to the challenges surrounding the payment of family allowances for retirees. This action follows reports that a significant number of pensioners had their benefits suspended without prior notice, leading to widespread concern.
Rezazadeh emphasized the Speaker’s determination, stating, “Ghalebaf is striving to ensure these problems are resolved as quickly as possible and that the suspended amounts are returned to the retirees’ accounts.” He further assured that parliamentary oversight on this matter will continue until all suspended payments are fully restored.
Addressing Structural Challenges
The discussions also shed light on broader structural issues within the social security system. Rezazadeh pointed to disparities in pension payments, noting that some retirees with 15 years of insurance history receive amounts that are disproportionately low. He called on the government to address this imbalance as part of a wider reform agenda.
Highlighting the ongoing efforts for systemic improvement, Rezazadeh mentioned that reform plans led by Dr. Salari and Meidri are already underway. These initiatives focus on restructuring pension funds by phasing out loss-making companies and reallocating resources directly to the beneficiaries, with positive outcomes anticipated in the near future.
Tangible Results and Future Commitments
The push from Parliament aligns with recent administrative achievements. A representative from the Social Security Organization announced the settlement of arrears and confirmed the completion of the first and second phases of the pension adjustment plan for the previous year.
A major milestone was the continuous implementation of the pension adjustment law starting in the Iranian year 1403 (2024). As a result, pensioners’ benefits saw a remarkable average increase of 56 percent in the year 1404, the highest growth rate compared to other pension funds. Key adjustments included:
- Subsistence Allowance: Increased by 50% to 600,000 Tomans.
- Family Allowance: Increased by 50% to 2.1 million Tomans.
- Child Benefit (per child): Increased by 100% to 1.719 million Tomans.
To support these enhancements, over 5.5 trillion Tomans are being allocated monthly to cover the pension adjustments for both the current and previous years.
Collectively, these actions demonstrate the serious resolve of both the Parliament and the Social Security Organization to safeguard the legal rights and financial well-being of Iran’s retired community.