Title: Urgent Call for Retirees: A Plea for Swift Resolution on Healthcare and Pension Payments
Introduction
In a formal appeal to the nation’s leadership, representatives for Iran’s social security retirees have highlighted critical delays in the disbursement of healthcare and life insurance funds. The open letter, addressed to President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, calls for immediate government intervention to resolve a situation causing significant distress for a segment of the population once described as the “pillars of the nation’s production, sacrifice, and resilience.”
A Formal Appeal to the President
The letter was authored by Abdolhamid Abaei Hassani, the Chairman of the Board of the Social Security Pensioners and Beneficiaries Association of Khuzestan Province. In his communication, Mr. Abaei Hassani detailed the severe financial constraints faced by the Social Security Organization, which he states is grappling with a liquidity crisis. This has directly impacted retirees, 70% of whom are minimum-wage earners, leading to unpaid insurance arrears that are now over seven months overdue.
The Core of the Crisis: Withheld Insurance Payments
A central point of contention is the continued monthly deduction of premiums for supplementary health and life insurance from retirees’ modest pensions. However, these deducted funds have reportedly not been transferred to the executing insurance companies for more than seven months.
The consequence, as outlined in the letter, is that the insurance provider, facing its own cash shortage, cannot settle its accounts with hospitals and medical centers. This has reportedly led to the cancellation of service contracts by hundreds of medical facilities, including specialized centers in Khuzestan Province, leaving retirees without access to essential medical services, from prescriptions to surgeries.
A Call for Justice and Swift Action
Mr. Abaei Hassani emphasized that this delay contradicts principles of justice and places immense psychological and livelihood pressure on retirees. The letter respectfully appeals to President Pezeshkian, whom it describes as a compassionate and justice-seeking leader, to issue a decisive order to resolve this impasse. It stresses the expectation that the government will not allow this segment of society to bear the brunt of administrative challenges.
The appeal concludes with a formal request, on behalf of 265,000 social security pensioners in Khuzestan and similar associations across the province, for the immediate payment of the overdue arrears from the current Iranian year. The letter closes with prayers for the health and dignity of the President and all government officials.