Head of Iran’s Social Security Organization Announces Major Pension Reform and Vows to Combat Corruption
Tehran – In a significant move to safeguard the future of Iran’s pension system, the CEO of the Social Security Organization (SSO) has announced a historic, multi-phase plan to clear the vast majority of pension arrears for retirees across the nation.
A Landmark Commitment to Retirees
Mustafa Salari, the Chief Executive of Iran’s Social Security Organization, has made a definitive commitment to address long-standing financial concerns for the country’s retirees. He announced that by the end of the Iranian month of Shahrivar, approximately 80% of the overdue payments to SSO pensioners will be settled through a structured, three-phase payment plan. This initiative is a cornerstone of a broader strategy to revitalize the national pension fund.
Salari emphasized that paying “real wages” is essential for the rehabilitation of the Social Security Fund. A comprehensive proposal designed to achieve this financial stability and address the fund’s requirements has been formally submitted to the Iranian government and parliament for review and implementation.
A Pledge for Transparency and Anti-Corruption
Alongside the financial reforms, CEO Salari delivered a powerful address on the imperative of fighting corruption within the system. He revealed new details regarding economic corruption and rent-seeking in certain consultancy contracts, shedding light on the role of some retired managers in creating networks of financial misconduct.
Salari stressed that the fight against corruption is a “serious and continuous duty.” He disclosed that investigations had revealed how some senior managers, after retirement, were found to have publicly opposed the implementation of certain regulations and obstructed transparency during their tenure, while simultaneously securing substantial personal gains through large-scale contracts behind the scenes.
A Case Study in Misconduct
To illustrate the severity of the issue, Salari provided a detailed example. A successful entrepreneur had complained about an unfair insurance premium levied for purchasing foreign goods, which was later found to be unjustified based on his case file in Ahvaz. Investigations revealed that a retired consultant from the Organization, in exchange for a 40-billion-toman consultancy contract, had facilitated the removal of the premium for that very case.
Salari stated that this action was not only illegal but constituted a clear abuse of position and privilege. He warned that when consultants pursue paths of corruption instead of lawful solutions, they severely damage public trust and place an additional financial burden on both the Organization and the people.
Local Authorities Affirm Commitment to Integrity
In response to the specific case mentioned by the CEO, the Director-General of the Khuzestan SSO, Roshani, provided clarifications. He detailed the legal process followed for the case, affirming that his provincial colleagues had acted with the highest sense of responsibility, integrity, and honesty from the very beginning.
Roshani explained that all legal documents were obtained, and the case was reviewed using the expertise of the SSO’s central headquarters. The company’s debt was calculated and confirmed. He also noted that a Tehran-based consultancy firm affiliated with some former SSO managers had attempted to interfere in the proceedings. Provincial colleagues immediately reported this attempted meddling to the relevant authorities in the central organization.
The Khuzestan Director-General strongly emphasized that his staff consistently work to protect the Organization’s interests and the legal rights of employers and will not permit any unlawful influence or interference from external parties. He expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the provincial team by the central organization’s leadership and reiterated their full commitment to supporting the SSO’s policies and programs, particularly in combating corruption and safeguarding the Organization’s financial resources.