Iranian Government Approves 5% Pension Increase and Bonus, Warns Against False Reports
In a move to support the welfare of the nation’s retirees, a 5% pay rise along with a fixed 900,000 Tomans bonus has been officially approved for pensioners. This decision, as announced in an official statement, is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to bolster the livelihood of retirees within the framework of the country’s current economic conditions.
A Stern Warning on Misinformation
Simultaneously, a serious warning has been issued concerning the circulation of unverified news and rumors on social media. Authorities have identified a specific false text claiming an additional 550,000 Tomans pay rise plus a 500,000 Tomans fixed amount for oil industry retirees. This claim has been declared entirely baseless and without any executive documentation. The government has clarified that this particular claim dates back to the year 1401 (2022-2023) and was not discussed in any official meetings with guild councils this year. All retirees and their families are urged to rely solely on official news sources and to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated reports that cause public concern.
A Long-Term Structural Approach
Looking beyond immediate adjustments, the government is pursuing a comprehensive bill aimed at fundamentally reforming the formula and coefficient for pension increases. This strategic initiative has several key objectives: to significantly reduce the income gap between active employees and retirees, to eliminate disparities between different pension funds, to strengthen the financial stability of these funds, and to replace temporary, short-term policies with sustainable, long-lasting solutions.
The Road to Final Approval
The final details for the pension increase coefficient for the upcoming Iranian year 1405 will be determined during the review of the national budget bill by the government and the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament). The approved figure will be officially announced and applied to pension payment slips only after final ratification and confirmation by the Guardian Council. This process involves multiple stages, including approval by the Council of Ministers, submission to Parliament, review in specialized commissions, a vote in the public session, and final endorsement by the Guardian Council.
Economic experts have consistently advised that any pension increase must be accompanied by fundamental structural reforms to prevent placing additional financial strain on pension funds. In response, the government has committed to seriously pursuing complementary plans aimed at enhancing the productivity and revenue generation of these funds, alongside the incremental increases to pensions.