Rewritten Title: Pension Reform in Focus: Retirees Advocate for Substantial Income Adjustment Ahead of 2026 Budget
Article:
A significant movement is gaining momentum among the nation’s retirees, highlighting economic challenges and calling for a major revision to pension policies. With a focus on constructive dialogue and social welfare, retirees are articulating their needs within the framework of national economic planning.
The Core Concern: Addressing the Cost of Living
Retirees have pointed to the steady rise in the cost of essential goods and services, including food, housing, and healthcare. They state that their current income has not kept pace with these persistent increases. While annual pension adjustments have been implemented in recent years, a growing consensus among retirees is calling for a fundamental shift in the policy governing these increments to better align with economic realities.
A Campaign for Change: The 70% Proposal
Over 31,000 retirees and pensioners have mobilized through a signature campaign, formally proposing a 70% pension increase for the upcoming Iranian calendar year (2025-2026). This grassroots initiative has reportedly garnered substantial support from retirees across various backgrounds. Organizers state the primary goal is to draw the serious attention of government and legislative bodies to the pressing livelihood concerns of the retired community, concerns they attribute to significant price hikes in recent years.
Key Demands of the Retiree Community
The campaign outlines three central requests:
- A minimum 70% increase in pension payments.
- An enhancement of the managerial structure and operational efficiency of the national pension fund.
- Strengthened coverage under supplementary health insurance schemes.
Retirees have also expressed a desire for greater financial transparency, effective oversight, and accountability from the management of pension funds over the past decade.
Formal Appeal to National Authorities
In a formal statement addressed to the President, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), and the Head of the Plan and Budget Organization, retirees have appealed for special consideration of their needs during the formulation of the national budget for the next year. The statement emphasizes that a 70% adjustment is presented as a “necessity to prioritize preserving the human dignity of retirees.”
Historical Context and Economic Pressures
An examination of recent data shows that the average annual pension increase over the past decade has ranged between 15% and 25%. However, retirees argue that these adjustments have been insufficient to improve their standard of living when measured against the rate of inflation, leading to a widening gap between their income and expenses.
The following table illustrates this dynamic in recent years:
| Year (Iranian Calendar) | Pension Increase | Average Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1399 | 20% | 44% |
| 1400 | 25% | 50% |
| 1401 | 20% | 46% |
| 1402 | 18% | 40% |
Looking Ahead: Pension Policy in the 2026 Budget
The final decision regarding pension adjustments will be determined within the context of the national budget bill for the upcoming year. Given the ongoing economic pressures, including the high cost of living and rising healthcare expenses, a comprehensive review of the pension adjustment policy is widely anticipated as the budget deliberations proceed.