Title: Bank Sepah Temporarily Suspends Bounced Check Penalties for One Month
Retirees Express Frustration Over Delayed Pension Payments
A retired Social Security Organization (SSO) beneficiary, Akbar Ahmadi, voiced concerns over prolonged delays in receiving overdue pension payments for the month of Farvardin (March-April). Ahmadi, a former municipal employee, stated that despite five months passing, the payment slips for the outstanding amounts have yet to be issued.
“We retirees check the system daily, but there’s no update,” he lamented. “How can an institution as large as the SSO fail to settle its debts to retirees after five months—especially when many are struggling with financial hardships?”
Ahmadi highlighted the disparity in financial penalties, noting that while banks impose fines for late loan payments, the SSO has not faced similar accountability for delayed pension disbursements. “My bank charged me 400,000 tomans for a one-month delay, yet the SSO owes me five months of unpaid dues without any penalty. Why do financial laws only burden workers and retirees?”
August Pension Slip Details: Increases and Payment Schedule
In August 2024, retirees under the SSO will receive their monthly pensions in two parts:
- Current month’s pension based on the approved 2024 rates.
- Outstanding arrears from Farvardin, which the Minister of Labor confirmed will be deposited by the end of August.
Official sources indicate payments will be processed between August 28-31, 2024, following the standard timeline of recent months. Due to the high volume of beneficiaries, banks have allocated this period to ensure smooth transactions.
Payments will be processed alphabetically to guarantee orderly distribution.
Financial Relief for Retirees
Labor activists estimate the arrears to range between 3 to 4 million tomans per retiree, significantly boosting August pensions compared to previous months.
The delay in settling Farvardin’s arrears was attributed to budgetary reconciliations between the SSO and funding sources. However, the Minister of Labor’s public commitment to resolving the issue has been welcomed as a positive step toward transparency.
Key Components of August Pension Slips
- Base pension adjusted per the Supreme Labor Council’s 2024 resolution.
- Back pay for the unresolved Farvardin increase.
- Potential long-term pension adjustments under Article 28 of the Seventh Development Plan.
The announcement has renewed optimism among retirees, seen as a sign of the government’s responsiveness to their demands.
Recommendations for Retirees
- Review pension slips carefully to verify amounts.
- Report discrepancies to local SSO offices or the “Tamin Man” online portal.
- Check the official SSO website for payment schedules and updates.
While the arrears payment marks progress, calls persist for structural reforms in pension equity and adjustment processes to ensure long-term fairness.
This measure underscores the government’s commitment to addressing retirees’ concerns while highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance social welfare systems.
