Rewritten Title:
Social Security Chief Addresses Retirees’ Concerns – What Steps Will Follow?
Retirees Demand Urgent Action as Payment Delays Worsen Economic Hardship
Hassan Sadeghi, head of the Veteran Workers’ Union, has strongly criticized the months-long delay in paying social security retirees their dues, urging the organization’s CEO to take immediate action. Despite being five months into the year, retirees have yet to receive payments owed since March.
Sadeghi highlighted the devastating impact of inflation on retirees’ purchasing power, stating, “In March, our pensions could buy two kilograms of cheese—now, the same amount barely covers 250 grams. This is a direct consequence of soaring inflation, officially reported at 57%.”
Legal Rights, Not Favors
Emphasizing that these payments are a “legal right”—not a privilege—Sadeghi noted that the government had already approved the disbursements, leaving “no justification for further delays.” He rejected claims of financial constraints, arguing, “Retirees cannot bear the burden of bureaucratic inefficiencies. A partial advance payment must be made immediately to ease their distress.”
While acknowledging the Social Security Organization’s goodwill and budget limitations, Sadeghi stressed that “delays only deepen retirees’ anxiety and erode trust.” He called for “swift, decisive measures” to resolve the issue, underscoring retirees’ decades of service to the nation.
A Crisis of Livelihoods
Experts warn that delayed payments exacerbate retirees’ financial struggles, as many rely solely on pensions to cover basic needs. Skyrocketing inflation, rising food prices, and currency depreciation have created unprecedented hardships.
Sadeghi reiterated the moral obligation to uphold retirees’ dignity: “Paying these arrears isn’t charity—it’s enforcing the law and honoring those who built this country.”
Retirees Speak Out
Seyed Ahmad Hosseini, a retiree with 35 years of service, voiced frustration to ILNA: “When we were working, late insurance payments incurred fines. Now, five months of delays go unchecked—will retirees receive interest for this injustice?” He contrasted past affordability (“a 10kg bag of rice for 2 million tomans”) with today’s prices (“now 3 million isn’t enough”), questioning, “Is this fair?”
With August’s payments also delayed—breaking the prior 20th-of-the-month norm—protests and complaints to media outlets like ILNA have surged. Retirees report contradictory updates but “no clear timeline” for resolution.
The Path Forward
As pressure mounts, all eyes are on the Social Security Organization’s next move. Retirees demand accountability, transparency, and—above all—their lawful dues. The clock is ticking for authorities to act before this crisis escalates further.
Key Points:
- Inflation crisis slashes retirees’ purchasing power by over 50%.
- Government-approved payments remain stalled, fueling outrage.
- Retirees demand immediate action, including advance disbursements.
- Delays erode trust and worsen economic suffering for pension-dependent households.
