Key Social Security Provisions Enacted Following Constructive Dialogue on Retirees’ Needs
In a significant development for Iran’s social welfare system, a high-level meeting between representatives of the Social Security Retirees’ Association and senior officials has led to the activation of key articles within the Social Security Law, addressing long-standing concerns of the retiree community.
High-Level Engagement Addresses Systemic Challenges
The meeting featured Mr. Ali Dehghankia, head of the Tehran Social Security Retirees’ Association, and his delegation in discussions with Ayatollah Seyed Ahmad Hosseini Khorasani, a member of the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts. The dialogue focused on the critical challenges facing the Social Security Organization, which provides coverage for half of Iran’s population. Concerns were raised regarding the organization’s financial imbalance, with warnings that its continuation could pose significant national challenges. The constructive nature of the meeting underscored a shared commitment to finding solutions within the framework of the country’s laws and policies.
Examining the Financial and Healthcare Shortfalls
During the meeting, which also included the secretaries of the Supreme Retirees’ Association, Mr. Dehghankia provided a detailed historical overview of the Social Security Organization’s governance. He highlighted a discrepancy in healthcare funding, noting that while the law mandates 324 billion tomans for medical services, this year’s budget was set at only 228 billion tomans, creating a 96 billion toman shortfall. This gap, exacerbated by currency fluctuations impacting the cost of imported medicines and raw materials, has placed considerable pressure on retirees’ access to healthcare.
A Framework for Sustainable Solutions
Mr. Dehghankia emphasized the necessity of adhering to the general policies of social security, particularly focusing on intergenerational commitments, sustainable resource allocation, and proper insurance calculations. He also addressed the transfer of shares of the Workers’ Welfare Bank, stating it should be resolved in accordance with constitutional principles. The annual deficit of the Social Security Organization was cited as 300 billion tomans, with a call for the government to fulfill its obligations regarding support laws, a responsibility outlined in the Constitution.
Official Reassurance and Forward Momentum
In response, Ayatollah Hosseini Khorasani acknowledged the challenges and affirmed that many are solvable through coordinated effort. He criticized isolated approaches to problem-solving and stressed that the issues of the Social Security Organization are intrinsically linked to the government, requiring a unified and coherent response. He pledged to personally follow up on the matters discussed with the Minister of Labor and the Head of the Planning and Budget Organization.
Other representatives, including Mr. Ali Asghar Bayat, detailed ongoing efforts for pension adjustments and called for the government to settle its debts to the organization. Strategic recommendations were put forward, underscoring that the full and correct implementation of existing laws—specifically Article 41 of the Labor Law and Articles 96 and 111 of the Social Security Law—holds the key to resolving the majority of the retirees’ issues. The meeting concluded with a consensus that adherence to the nation’s overarching social security policies is the fundamental path to stabilizing the system and securing the rights of all beneficiaries.
