Understanding Your Belarusian Pension: A Guide

Pensions are guaranteed to all citizens of Belarus who are permanently unfit to work and reside in the country. The country operates a pay-as-you-go pension system, with today's workers paying contributions that are funnelled directly into pension benefits. In recent years, the country has undergone a process of increasing the retirement age by three years to 63 for men and 58 for women. However, this reform is insufficient to sustain the pension system, and further changes are necessary. One such change is a new rule that allows men to retire early if they have raised a child with a disability without the mother's participation. This early retirement option will be available to fathers when they turn 58, the same as women at 53.

Retirement age in Belarus

In Belarus, pensions are guaranteed to every person unfit for work who is permanently residing in the country. The pension is granted based on age, disability, and loss-of-breadwinner. The old-age retirement pension is granted upon the attainment of a generally established retirement age and the length of service during which compulsory insurance contributions were paid (pension insurance record).

The retirement age in Belarus is dependent on gender. For men, the retirement age is 63 in 2022, with a maximum age of 62.5 and a minimum of 60. For women, the retirement age is 58 in 2022, with a maximum age of 57.5 and a minimum of 55. The retirement age for both men and women is subject to an annual increase of six months from 1 January.

Employees working in special working conditions and those involved in certain professional activities are entitled to early preferential retirement benefits. Additionally, certain categories of citizens may be granted early retirement pensions on social grounds, with reduced requirements for the pension insurance record.

Eligibility requirements

The eligibility requirements for pensions in Belarus are dependent on several factors, including age, disability, and loss-of-breadwinner.

Firstly, for an old-age retirement pension, one must meet the established retirement age and have made the necessary compulsory insurance contributions (pension insurance record). The retirement age in Belarus is currently 63 for men and 58 for women, with plans to increase it by 3 years due to an ageing population. This increase in retirement age is a relatively easy reform, but it is not sufficient to ensure the sustainability of the pension system, and further changes may be implemented in the future.

For employees working in special conditions or specific professional activities, early retirement benefits are available. Additionally, certain categories of citizens may be eligible for early retirement pensions on social grounds, with reduced requirements for the pension insurance record.

In the case of disability pensions, preferential requirements have been set for the length of service of the disabled person. Similarly, for loss-of-breadwinner pensions, the length of service of the breadwinner is considered, including their pension insurance record.

The average labour (insurance) retirement pension accounts for 40% of the average wage in the economic sector. To be eligible for this pension, one must have regularly contributed to the Fund of Social Protection of Population (FSPP) during their working period. Additionally, minimum insurance experience and total work experience must be accumulated. In 2024, the minimum insurance experience was set at 19.5 years, with a minimum total work experience of 25 years for men and 20 years for women.

For those who are not eligible for the labour (insurance) pension, a social pension is provided. This ensures that pensions are guaranteed to every person permanently residing in Belarus who is unfit for work.

It is important to note that Belarus has signed international agreements on pension provisions with several countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, and Moldova. These agreements may have specific eligibility requirements that apply to citizens of those countries.

International agreements

Belarus has signed international agreements on pension provision with several countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, and Estonia. In addition, Belarus has signed an agreement on pensions for workers of the Eurasian Economic Union member states.

Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, and Estonia: Belarus has signed agreements with these countries, focusing on pension provisions. The specifics of these agreements are not readily available, but they likely cover areas such as pension calculations, eligibility requirements, and the transfer of pension rights between the signatory countries.

Poland and Moldova (2019): Belarus entered into social security agreements with Poland and Moldova in 2019. These agreements likely outline the social security rights of individuals who have lived or worked in multiple countries, including pension benefits.

Eurasian Economic Union Member States (2019): Belarus, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, signed an agreement on pensions for workers within the union. This agreement likely establishes pension rights and benefits for individuals working in different member states and coordinates pension-related policies among the member countries.

Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs): Belarus has signed numerous BITs with various countries, including India, Turkey, Georgia, and more. While the primary focus of these treaties is to promote and protect investments, they may also include provisions related to labour standards, social security, and retirement benefits for investors and employees.

It is important to note that the specific details of each international agreement may vary, and they can be complex. For comprehensive information on each treaty and how it relates to pension accounting, it is advisable to refer to the official texts of the agreements and seek expert advice if needed.

Social Security benefits

The social security system in Belarus provides benefits for old age, disability, and survivors. It is a social insurance and social assistance system. Social insurance covers employed and self-employed persons residing permanently in Belarus, including priests, employees of religious organizations, members of cooperatives, and farmers. Social assistance is provided to residents of Belarus.

Old-Age Pension

The old-age pension is a social insurance benefit for those who have reached the retirement age of 61 for men and 56 for women (gradually rising to 63 and 58, respectively, by 2022). To qualify, individuals must have at least 25 years of coverage, including a minimum number of years of paid contributions. The pension amount is calculated based on the insured's average monthly earnings and the number of years of coverage. The maximum monthly old-age pension is 972.92 Belarusian rubles.

Disability Pension

The disability pension is a social insurance benefit for individuals assessed with a Group I, II, or III disability. The benefit amount varies depending on the severity of the disability, with Group I disabilities receiving the highest amount. The minimum monthly disability pension is 100% of the minimum monthly old-age pension for Group I or II disabilities and 50% for Group III disabilities.

Survivor Pension

The survivor pension is a social insurance benefit for eligible survivors of the deceased head of the household who received or was entitled to receive a social insurance disability pension. Eligible survivors include a dependent spouse, children, siblings, grandchildren, parents, and dependent grandparents. The benefit amount is calculated as a percentage of the deceased's last covered earnings, with a minimum monthly survivor pension of 100% of the minimum monthly old-age pension.

Social Pensions

Social pensions are provided to non-working citizens who do not qualify for social insurance benefits. The old-age social pension is available to citizens aged 65 (men) or 60 (women), while the disability social pension is for those with a disability that began before the age of 18. The orphan's social pension is provided to children who have lost one or both parents.

Additional Benefits

Other benefits provided by the social security system in Belarus include sickness and maternity benefits, unemployment benefits, and family allowances. Sickness benefits cover a percentage of the insured's average daily earnings during a period of incapacity, while maternity benefits provide a lump sum payment to employed women during pregnancy and maternity leave. Unemployment benefits are available to those who are involuntarily unemployed and meet certain conditions, such as registering at the state employment office. Family allowances include child allowances, supplements for older children, and allowances for disabled children or children with HIV.

Pension insurance

The pension insurance system in Belarus is a combination of social insurance and social assistance. The system guarantees pensions to all individuals unfit for work who are permanent residents of the country. The labour (insurance) pension is divided into three types: old age, disability, and loss-of-breadwinner.

For old-age retirement pensions, individuals must meet the generally established retirement age and length of service requirements, with compulsory insurance contributions paid. The retirement age and length of service criteria are subject to annual increases of six months from 1st January. In February 2020, there were approximately 2.5 million recipients of labour pensions, with over 80% receiving old-age pensions.

The average labour (insurance) retirement pension accounts for 40% of the average wage in the economic sector. Labour pensions are adjusted whenever there is an increase in the average wage. If an individual does not qualify for the labour (insurance) pension, they will receive a social pension instead.

The pension system in Belarus also takes into account international agreements. The country has signed pension provision agreements with several neighbouring countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, and Estonia. Additionally, Belarus has agreements with Poland and Moldova on social security and pensions for workers within the Eurasian Economic Union.

Mandatory Employee Benefits

In Belarus, pension is listed as one of the mandatory employee benefits, along with paid time off, sick leave, unemployment benefits, healthcare, and compulsory insurance against industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The labour pension is paid by the Fund of Social Protection of Population (FSPP) to those who regularly contributed during their working period. To receive the pension, certain conditions must be met, including minimum insurance experience, total work experience, and reaching the retirement age.

The amount of the pension depends on the individual's wages during their working age and the minimum subsistence budget. The pension is calculated using two components: the minimum pension, which is based on age plus 20% of the average salary in the country, and an optional payment that considers employment history and salary during the working age.

Social Insurance and Social Assistance

The social insurance system covers employed and self-employed individuals permanently residing in Belarus, including specific categories such as religious workers, members of cooperatives, and farmers. Social insurance contributions are calculated as a percentage of earnings, with a maximum monthly earnings threshold based on the national average wage. Self-employed individuals contribute a higher percentage of their declared income, while employers typically contribute a set percentage of the gross payroll.

Social assistance, on the other hand, is provided to residents of Belarus who do not fall under the social insurance scheme. This includes non-working citizens who are not entitled to receive social insurance pensions. The social assistance pension amounts are typically calculated as a percentage of the national average subsistence level.

Frequently asked questions