Title: New Interest-Free Loan Initiative Launched to Support Rural and Nomadic Communities
In a significant move to bolster national development and social welfare, the Social Security Fund for Farmers, Villagers, and Nomads has announced the rollout of a new, accessible interest-free loan program. This initiative underscores the government’s strategic focus on empowering rural communities, which are vital to the country’s sustained progress and security.
Streamlined Access to Financial Support
According to Hamed Ghader-Marzi, the Fund’s Managing Director, the initial phase of this scheme will extend coverage to 20,000 pensioners. The registration process, facilitated through the Fund’s brokerage network, has already commenced. In a user-friendly approach designed for convenience, the loans will be deposited directly into applicants’ accounts within a maximum of two weeks, eliminating the need for in-person bank visits.
Rural Development: A Cornerstone of National Progress
Mr. Ghader-Marzi elaborated on the critical role of rural areas, stating that national advancement is unattainable without the development of villages. He highlighted that over 20.7 million people, constituting approximately 26% of the country’s total population, reside in 62,285 villages and settlements. With an average of 335 people per village, these regions hold significant potential for driving the nation’s growth. Iran currently ranks 52nd globally in terms of its rural population.
The official further explained that the presence of rural populations in border areas has substantially enhanced national security, reinforcing why rural development is a prerequisite for both national progress and sustainable stability.
A Legacy of Social Protection
The Social Security Fund for Farmers, Villagers, and Nomads began its operations in 2005. The government subsidizes 70% of the membership insurance premium, an amount equivalent to 10.5 million Tomans per person annually. To date, the Fund has enrolled over 3.4 million members and has issued active pension orders for 226,000 individuals.
Financial Transparency and Prudent Management
Mr. Ghader-Marzi emphasized the Fund’s commitment to financial transparency, noting that all its assets are visible online through the stock exchange system and the Fund’s official website. Over 75% of the assets are invested in the stock market, and despite market fluctuations, the Fund’s portfolio has grown by more than 35% over the past two years.
In a strategic move to optimize its economic structure, the Fund reduced its stock holdings from 123 to 78 last year, with the ultimate goal of focusing on 50 high-yield strategic shares.
Expanding Insurance Coverage for Vulnerable Groups
The Fund has also implemented significant social support measures. In line with the “Family Protection and Youth Population Law,” free insurance is provided to rural and nomadic women with three or more children. So far, more than 375,000 rural women have been insured free of charge.
Furthermore, through an agreement with the State Welfare Organization, 72,000 female-headed households in cities with populations under 20,000 and in rural areas have received free insurance coverage. An additional 55,000 households covered by the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation are also benefiting from the Fund’s services.
Future Outlook and Digital Transformation
The Managing Director announced that starting in the Iranian month of Khordad (May/June), insured men will have the option to add their mandatory military service duration to their insurance records. He also confirmed that healthcare services for the insured are provided through the Health Insurance Organization.
Embracing technology, the Fund has launched an online insurance platform to deliver all services remotely, facilitating easier access for villagers and nomads. In a recent development, a new agreement with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism will allow professionals in this sector to benefit from the 70% insurance subsidy.
Actively serving the community through a vast network of 1,555 brokerages nationwide, the Fund’s primary mission remains ensuring a dignified life, justice, and hope for the rural and nomadic populations.