Pensions of 450 citizens to not increase in 2014

During the discussions of the 2014 draft state budget, Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs put forward a new concept of changes, according to which pensions in Armenia will increase on January 1 if the National Assembly approves the draft budget without changes.

“The concept proposes ensuring a growth, which will allow pensions of some 32 thousand people to exceed the extreme poverty threshold, “ Labor and Social Affairs Minister Artyom Asatrian said during the discussion, when presenting the changes to occur following the concept’s adoption.

In 2014, pensions of 450 citizens will remain the same; pensions of about 60 pensioners will increase up to 5%; pensions of 19,500 pensioners will increase 5-10%; pensions of some 165 thousand pensioners will increase 10-15%; pensions of 101 thousand pensioners will increase 15-20%, and pensions of 164 thousand pensioners will increase 20-40%.

No growth of pensions is envisaged for those who receive pensions of 93,000 drams and over.

Joint sittings of the RA National Assembly’s standing committees on financial, credit and budget affairs, on healthcare affairs, and on social affairs were held today, chaired by Gagik Minasian, Ara Babloyan, and Hakob Hakobian, respectively. The sitting participants discussed the draft law on the Armenian state budget for 2014, concerning the revenues and expenditures of activities and programs of the spheres, for which the mentioned standing committees of the parliament are responsible.