16.03.2012
Retirement age in Belarus unchanged for now
MINSK, 16 March (BelTA) – Retirement age will not be raised for now, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the government session held on 16 March to discuss ways to improve pension benefits.
“We promised our people we will not do it. And the people ask us not to do it,” said the head of state. “Therefore, improving the pension system we discard the way Europe opted for – a higher retirement age. We cannot afford it now”.
According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus now boasts the lowest retirement age. All the other countries are thinking about raising the age, Russia for instance. There are two pensioners per every working citizen in Belarus. It is the limit although barely sustainable, said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President remarked for now Belarus has no shortage of pension money. The pension fund is just sufficient for these pensions for this number of pensioners. “If the amount of money in the pension fund rises, we raise pensions, too,” said the head of state.
“Belarusian pensions are comparatively low but the correlation of prices, services and so on, if we compare those with Russia’s, is as good. We pay [pensions] on time, we have a large social package, particularly for pensioners. But I admit that pensions have to rise,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the President, since there are many pensioners in Belarus and the population increase is negative, the country cannot but keep pensions low. Meanwhile, measures are being worked out to encourage pensioners to apply for pensions later.
“We promised our people we will not do it. And the people ask us not to do it,” said the head of state. “Therefore, improving the pension system we discard the way Europe opted for – a higher retirement age. We cannot afford it now”.
According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus now boasts the lowest retirement age. All the other countries are thinking about raising the age, Russia for instance. There are two pensioners per every working citizen in Belarus. It is the limit although barely sustainable, said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President remarked for now Belarus has no shortage of pension money. The pension fund is just sufficient for these pensions for this number of pensioners. “If the amount of money in the pension fund rises, we raise pensions, too,” said the head of state.
“Belarusian pensions are comparatively low but the correlation of prices, services and so on, if we compare those with Russia’s, is as good. We pay [pensions] on time, we have a large social package, particularly for pensioners. But I admit that pensions have to rise,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the President, since there are many pensioners in Belarus and the population increase is negative, the country cannot but keep pensions low. Meanwhile, measures are being worked out to encourage pensioners to apply for pensions later.