Title: New Phase of Major 100 Million Tomans Loan Initiative for Retirees Announced
A Pivotal Update on Social Security Loans
In a significant development for the nation’s retirees, a major loan initiative managed by the Social Security Organization is progressing into a new operational phase. According to Ali Dehghan Kia, Chairman of the Board of the Tehran Social Security Retirees Association, efforts are intensifying to fulfill the annual quota for essential loans designated for the retiree community.
Ambitious National Quota Faces Adjustments
The initial national plan for the current year set a target of providing loans to 500,000 Social Security retirees and pensioners. This ambitious program was designed to disburse funds to over 40,000 individuals each month through cooperation between the Social Security Organization and its agent bank.
However, Dehghan Kia reported that due to prevailing financial constraints, approximately 50% of this annual quota is now expected to be realized. To ensure continued support, the disbursement schedule has been adjusted from a monthly to a bi-monthly cycle. Despite this recalibration, there has been a notable improvement compared to previous years, as the monthly allocation has increased from 30,000 to 40,000 recipients.
Progress and Future Registration
Highlighting the positive trajectory, Dehghan Kia confirmed that over 60% of the approved quota successfully received loans last year. He expressed optimism for achieving a similar or better coverage rate this year.
For the immediate future, a loan payment is anticipated for the month of Azar, with a new registration period expected to open concurrently. Retirees are advised to await an official announcement from the relevant authorities, which will be communicated through the Retirees Association’s website when the registration portal is activated.
Breakdown of Disbursement and Special Support
The loan allocation is channeled through two primary pathways: a portion is distributed directly by the Social Security Organization based on introductions from parliamentary representatives, while the remainder is managed by the Retirees Associations themselves.
To date, 20,000 loans have been disbursed in Tehran alone as part of this third registration phase. Nationally, it is projected that 250,000 loans will be granted by the year’s end. Dehghan Kia added that should the financial position of the Welfare Bank improve, there is potential for a return to monthly payments and a possible increase in the total number of loans awarded.
In a move of targeted support, a limited number of special 100-million-Toman loans are also being offered to retirees with specific critical illnesses who are formally introduced by the Associations.
Ongoing Commitment to Retiree Welfare
Beyond the loan program, Dehghan Kia underscored ongoing high-level discussions with Social Security management focused on enhancing retiree welfare. These talks center on critical areas such as the modernization of hospital equipment in Social Security medical centers and addressing the need for increased specialized human resources. These centers are considered vital assets for the retiree community.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to streamline administrative procedures, including the refinement of executive bylaws to facilitate seamless medical services for retirees without upfront costs, demonstrating a continuous commitment to improving their quality of life.