Title: Landmark Pension Reform: Iran Implements 40% Pay Rise for Retired Educators
In a significant move to support its public servants, the Iranian government has activated a new salary scale, granting a substantial 40% pension increase for retired educators. This initiative, which takes effect from the start of the current Iranian month of Azar (November 22, 2024), is part of a broader policy of “pay harmonization” aimed at aligning pension benefits with the salaries of active employees in comparable roles.
A Comprehensive Financial Package
The State Pension Fund has officially confirmed that this adjustment is not merely prospective. The measure includes the full settlement of previously unpaid dues accumulated over the first eight months of the current year. This significant financial commitment, which carries a substantial budgetary allocation, will be disbursed to pensioners in a separate, lump-sum payment.
According to Morteza Qodratipour, Director General of the State Pension Fund in Tehran Province, this dual action of raising base pensions and clearing arrears is a decisive step towards reducing the income gap between active workers and retirees. He further reported that over 90% of the new pension decrees for retired educators have already been issued.
Structural Reform and Performance-Based Incentives
The pay rise is intrinsically linked to the implementation of a newly finalized “ranking system,” a structural reform developed in collaboration with the Administrative and Recruitment Organization and the Planning and Budget Organization. This system shifts the focus from academic credentials alone to a more comprehensive evaluation of a teacher’s educational, research, and developmental performance.
Key features of the new system include:
- Entry-Level Status: Newly hired teachers with a bachelor’s degree will immediately receive the “Educational Instructor” rank, a structure mirroring the academic progression in universities.
- Performance-Driven Promotion: The criteria for promotion now emphasize on-the-job performance.
- Accelerated Advancement: Teachers can apply for a rank promotion after four years of service in rural areas or five years in urban areas.
Ali Farhadi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the evaluation committees will operate with a strictly education-centric approach to ensure fair and merit-based assessments.
A Boost for Morale and Educational Quality
The implementation of this new ranking system and the accompanying salary increase has generated widespread satisfaction among the educational community. This government decision, enacted in line with supportive policies for state employees at the start of the new academic year, is seen as a crucial measure to address livelihood concerns and restore the esteemed social status of educators.
By providing greater financial stability for the families of educators, this reform is also expected to serve as a powerful incentive for enhancing the quality of educational and training services across the country, underscoring the government’s commitment to its workforce and the national education system.