How many people were given pensions in Uzbekistan since the beginning of the year?

As of the beginning of this year, a total of 225,333 citizens in Uzbekistan have been granted new pensions by the Pension Fund. Of these, 179,183 individuals began receiving old-age pensions, while 32,428 were awarded disability pensions, and 13,722 families were provided with survivor's pensions. The overall number of pensioners in Uzbekistan has now reached 4.1 million, with more than 4 percent expected to retire in 2024, according to the Pension Fund’s report.

Of the total pensioners, 3.2 million (or 79 percent) receive their pensions via bank cards. This shift to electronic payment methods highlights the ongoing modernization of the pension system in the country.

From September 1, 2024, the government implemented a 15 percent increase in wages, pensions, and allowances. The basic pension calculation amount has now been set at 428,000 sums per month. The minimum old-age pension is 834,000 sums, while the minimum disability pension stands at 920,000 sums. Additionally, other pensions and allowances have been adjusted in accordance with the appendix.

It is important to note that earlier this year, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution titled "On Organizational Measures to Develop the Concept of Reforming the State Pension System." This resolution emphasizes the establishment of a working group responsible for analyzing current challenges in the state pension system. The group is tasked with preparing proposals aimed at ensuring the pension system's long-term stability and promoting social justice by incorporating advanced international practices.

The working group, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov, has been given a deadline of March 1, 2025, to develop and present a draft concept for pension system reform. This initiative is part of the broader efforts to improve the welfare of pensioners and enhance the effectiveness of the state pension system in Uzbekistan.