New Policy Offers Early Retirement for Working Mothers in Iran
A significant new policy in Iran is providing working mothers with a path to early retirement, a move designed to support families and encourage population growth. Implemented under the “Family Support and Youth Population Law,” the initiative directly links retirement age to the number of children a mother has.
Key Incentives for Mothers
The core of the policy offers a tangible benefit: a reduction in the official retirement age for eligible working women. The specifics are as follows:
- For each child born after November 2021, a mother’s retirement age is reduced by one year.
- For the third child and any subsequent children, the reduction increases to one and a half years per child.
For example, a mother with three children, all born after the law came into effect, would see her retirement age lowered by a total of three and a half years.
Eligibility and Conditions
To qualify for these new retirement terms, applicants must meet two primary conditions:
- Insurance History: A minimum of 20 years of documented social security insurance payments. The policy explicitly includes women working in the private sector; government service is not a requirement.
- Minimum Age: A baseline retirement age that correlates with the number of children:
- Mother with one child: Minimum age of 42
- Mother with two children: Minimum age of 41
- Mother with three or more children: Minimum age of 40
Pension Calculation Clarified
It is important to note that while the policy lowers the age at which a woman can retire, it does not alter the calculation of her pension. The retirement pension will be calculated based on the actual years of insurance premiums paid. Therefore, a woman retiring with 20 years of contributions will receive a pension based on that 20-year period, not on a longer, hypothetical tenure.
Implementation and Oversight
The rollout of this new law has been a subject of discussion. Amirhossein Bankipour, head of the parliamentary commission for the population plan, has noted that initial concerns were raised with relevant institutions, including the Social Security Organization, regarding the implementation. Following parliamentary follow-ups, these bodies have committed to applying the law for all who qualify, signaling a push for its full and widespread execution.
This policy represents a strategic effort to harmonize social welfare with national demographic goals, offering working mothers greater flexibility and support as they balance their professional and family lives.
