Title: Pensioners Call for Systemic Reforms and Significant Salary Adjustment in Upcoming Budget
Introduction: A Growing Movement
A significant campaign, gaining traction among the country’s pensioners, is calling for a fundamental review of pension policies. Citing the persistent gap between their income and the rising cost of living, retirees are formally petitioning the government for substantial changes in the approaching fiscal year 1405.
The Core Demand: A 70% Adjustment
The movement, organized under the banner of a “70% salary increase for 1405,” has already gathered signatures from over 31,000 pensioners and beneficiaries. Initiated through an independent platform, the campaign aims to draw the serious attention of the government and legislators to what they describe as a critical situation. The primary demand is a minimum 70% increase in pensions to address the sharp rise in the prices of essential goods, housing, and healthcare services.
Broader Reform Agenda
Beyond the immediate salary adjustment, the campaign outlines three key demands for systemic improvement:
- A fundamental enhancement of the management structure and performance of the national pension fund.
- Strengthening the coverage provided by supplementary health insurance.
- Greater financial transparency, effective oversight, and accountability from the fund’s officials, with retirees expressing concerns over the fund’s management over the past decade.
Official Appeal to National Leadership
In a formal statement addressed to the President, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the Head of the Planning and Budget Organization, pensioners have urgently requested that their needs be prioritized during the formulation of the next national budget. The statement emphasizes that a 70% increase is “a necessity that prioritizes preserving the human dignity of retirees.”
Context: The Inflationary Gap
Historical data reveals a consistent challenge. Over the past decade, annual pension increases have typically ranged between 15% and 25%. However, as the comparative table below illustrates, these adjustments have consistently fallen short of the average inflation rate, leading to a widening gap between pensioners’ incomes and their living expenses.
| Year (Solar Hijri) | Salary Increase (%) | Average Inflation Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1399 | 20% | 44% |
| 1400 | 25% | 50% |
| 1401 | 20% | 46% |
| 1402 | 18% | 40% |
The Path Forward
The final decision regarding pension adjustments will be determined within the framework of the national budget bill for 1405. Given the ongoing economic pressures, including the high cost of living and medical expenses, a comprehensive review of the current salary increase policy is considered more likely than in previous years.