Alborz Province Leads Nation in Expanding Social Insurance Coverage for Rural and Nomadic Communities
In a significant demonstration of national policy implementation, Alborz Province has been ranked first in Iran for enrolling citizens into the Social Insurance Fund for Farmers, Villagers, and Nomads. This achievement underscores the government’s focused efforts on social welfare and inclusive development.
A Model of National Coverage
The announcement was made by Foad Mohammadi, the Manager of the Social Insurance Fund for Farmers, Villagers, and Nomads in Alborz Province, during a press conference held on the occasion of National Village and Nomads Day. He reported that approximately 26,000 households in the province are currently covered by the fund.
“Despite challenges such as ethnic diversity and economic conditions, Alborz Province has secured the top national rank in enrolling insured individuals,” Mohammadi stated. He elaborated that of the 54,000 people identified as the target population by the provincial government, coverage has been successfully extended to about 45%.
Foundations and Expanding Reach
The fund was originally established in 2004 with the primary goal of providing social security to segments of the population lacking coverage, including farmers, villagers, nomads, and students. Its mandate has since expanded to include residents of cities with populations under 20,000 and other societal groups.
Mohammadi highlighted the scale of this success, noting that Alborz’s performance in the first quarter of the current Iranian year was 900% higher than the second-ranked province, Kermanshah.
Sustaining Coverage and Providing Services
The manager also addressed ongoing efforts to maintain this high level of coverage. He pointed out that the fund sends reminder text messages to ensure continuity of membership, with over 102,000 such messages sent last year alone.
The core services provided by the fund are comprehensive, covering disability, retirement, death benefits for survivors, and healthcare. Through an agreement with the Health Insurance Organization, members can have 97% of their medical costs covered.
Government Support and Financial Stability
A key feature of this fund is its supportive structure. One-third of the insurance premium is paid by the member, while the government subsidizes the remaining two-thirds. This model ensures affordability and accessibility.
Mohammadi assured that the fund is on solid financial ground, stating, “Utilizing the experiences of other funds, it has become one of the most stable insurance funds in the country and, given its investments, is capable of providing services until the year 2045.”
Recent Benefits and Future Potential
The tangible benefits for members were also emphasized. In the past year, over 2,050 households have benefited from the fund’s services, including 836 individuals who have retired and are now receiving pensions.
Significantly, Mohammadi confirmed a 25% increase in pension payments this year and indicated potential for further growth. “We are seeking a pay adjustment, and if the parliament facilitates this, there is a capacity to increase the received pensions by up to 65%,” he announced.
The fund also disbursed 310 financial loans last year and has streamlined processes, including enabling military service exemptions to be processed remotely through its application.