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Pensions may be raised this year

Valyantsina Karalyova, deputy minister of labor and social security, told reporters on Wednesday that she expected pensions to be raised this year, but she could not say by what percentage, as quoted by BelaPAN.

Regulations require pensions to be raised if the country’s average pay rises by more than 15 percent, Ms. Karalyova said. Nevertheless, she noted, they may be increased if there are the necessary financial resources.
According to the deputy minister, more than half of all retirees receive pensions higher that the average, 491,000 rubels ($163) at present.

Minimum and social pensions were raised in February and May following increases in the per-capita Subsistence Minimum Budget, she said.