http://www.pfrf.ru/ News list en http://www.pfrf.ru/i/rss_logo.gif http://www.pfrf.ru http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/45531.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/45531.html From April 1st,2012 labor pensions of Russian citizens were additionally adjusted taking into account PFR revenues raise per one pensioner. Also the amount of social pensions has increased. Labor pensions of 37 million Russian pensioners were adjusted by 3. From April 1st,2012 labor pensions of Russian citizens were additionally adjusted taking into account PFR revenues raise per one pensioner. Also the amount of social pensions has increased. Labor pensions of 37 million Russian pensioners were adjusted by 3.41%; social pensions of nearly 3 million Russian pensioners – by 14.1%. Monthly cash benefits were adjusted by 6%. This increase has applied to 16.6 million Russians. As a result of indexation, the average amount of old-age labor pension has reached 9.800 rubles. When adjusting the social pensions, the corresponding state pensions, supplementary monthly financial provision and other benefits, the amounts of which are determined by the sum of social pensions, were increased as well. The average social pension after the increase amounted to 5.900 rubles; the average disability pension of military personnel, who served by conscription amounted to 8.900 rubles; the average survivor pension for families of the conscripted military personnel amounted to 7.500 rubles. The average amount of pensions for citizens with disabilities due to war injuries and war veterans, receiving two pensions, amounted to 23.3 rubles and 23.7 rubles, respectively. With that, the financial provision of Russian citizens will be no less than the regional minimum of subsistence. If the total amount of pensioners’ financial provision does not reach minimum of subsistence established in a Russian Federation subject, then social supplementary benefit is set for such pensioners. We remind that on February 1st 2012 labor pensions of the Russian pensioners were adjusted by 7%. On August 1st, 2012 labor pensions of the working pensioners will be adjusted non-declaratively. Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:11:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/42590.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/42590.html The number of the participants in the State Pension Co-funding Program has exceeded 7 million people. During the course of the Program they have made contributions to the accumulated part their future pensions for the total amount of 10. The number of the participants in the State Pension Co-funding Program has exceeded 7 million people. During the course of the Program they have made contributions to the accumulated part their future pensions for the total amount of 10.6 billion rubles. Of these, 4 billion rubles transferred in 2011, in 2010 – 3.4 billion rubles, in 2009 – 2.5 billion rubles.However, PFR reminds all the participants of the Program that to get funds of the state co-funding, it is necessary to make a contribution between 2,000 and 12,000 rubles for the accumulated part of the pension till the end of the year. In this case the state will double the sum of contribution – will put the same sum on the “pension” account.Forms of payment receipts for transferring contributions within the framework of the Program with essential details of Sberbank regional brunches can be found on the PFR site. However, PFR asks to fill in payment media accurately and check the number of individual pension account in the documents and in bank record while paying. The absence of the number of individual pension account in the bank record makes placing of the Program participants’ contributions on their individual personal accounts almost impossible. The Russian Pension Fund organizes the work of the call-center consulting people on participation in the State Pension Co-funding Program. By the phone number 8 800 505-55-55 (toll-free in Russia) anyone can get detailed information on how the Program operates, who and how can join it, who has special conditions of co-funding, etc.You can join the State Pension Co-funding Program till 1 October 2013. It is a ten-year program starting from the first contribution. To join the Program you should either submit an application to the local Pension Fund in person or through your employer, or through your transfer-agent (these include organizations which have an appropriate agreement with the PFR: banks, Russian Post and others).You can join the Program through the website of public services as well. This service is available for all registered users of the site – you just enter the section “Pension Fund of the Russian Federation” and fill in the form to join the Program. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:53:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/42537.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/42537.html The Pension Fund of the Russian Federation has won the Diploma of the Silver Archer National Award in the category “Best project in the field of social communication and charity”. The Diploma of Russia’s most prestigious PR Award was given to the PFR for the educational campaign on increase in pension awareness among students “Your future pension depends on you!”The Program was implemented by the Pension Fund during autumn 2011. The Pension Fund of the Russian Federation has won the Diploma of the Silver Archer National Award in the category “Best project in the field of social communication and charity”. The Diploma of Russia’s most prestigious PR Award was given to the PFR for the educational campaign on increase in pension awareness among students “Your future pension depends on you!”The Program was implemented by the Pension Fund during autumn 2011. Its main goal was to form pension culture, based on the future pension care, among senior high school and college students; to increase pension and social awareness by giving basic knowledge about the basics of future pension formation and the Russian pension system. The Campaign started on September 27th, 2011. The “Day of pension learning” simultaneously took place in more than 9,500 populated areas of all Russian regions. In schools and colleges of the whole country classes and lectures were given with presentation of the educational booklet “Everything about future pension. A book for study and life”. On the same day in all PFR regional bodies an open day took place. 4,918 excursions for senior high school and college students were arranged, during which 174,358 students acquainted themselves with the work of the Pension Fund.From September till December 2011 specialists of the Pension Fund gave 65,000 classes on pension learning, in which 1,343,840 senior high school and college students took part.The educational program reached one in three senior high school or college student. The PFR specialists told young people about the Russian pension system and rules of future pension formation. The textbook, specially developed for the lessons and published in 1 million copies, was introduced at the classes. After classes students could take a special test.In the framework of the Campaign more than 340,000 students submitted applications to obtain individual personal account insurance number and nearly 70,000 students applied for the State pension Co-Financing Program. In 2012 PFR will continue the educational program among students. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:11:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/42507.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/42507.html The Pension Fund of the Russian Federation has become the winner of the 9th Professional Award in the field of information security “Silver Dagger” in the category “Electronic State and Information Society”. The Pension Fund of the Russian Federation has become the winner of the 9th Professional Award in the field of information security “Silver Dagger” in the category “Electronic State and Information Society”.The “Silver Dagger” award was established by the organizing committee of the National Information Security Forum. This year the Award organizing committee has highly appreciated the socially significant projects on information security systems establishment and information resources security organization, which are being used by PFR in providing electronic services to people.Since PFR processes personal data, high attention is paid to its protection. All PFR databases equip state-of-the-art security solutions certified by relevant authorities. Special information security regulations are in effect in PFR and organizational-technical measures are taken to prevent databases from break-in and copying even by the PFR executives.External and internal tests on PFR information security are conducted on regular basis. Federal Service for Technical and Export Control of Russia (FSTEC) and Federal Security Service of Russia (FSS) also reported in 2009/10 that PFR personal data security system to be considered one the best among ministries, departments, and other organizations dealing with personal data. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:49:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/41973.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/41973.html Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the law “On ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on cooperation in pension provision”. Earlier, the law was passed by the State Duma on January 13th, and by the Federation Council on January 25th. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the law “On ratification of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on cooperation in pension provision”. Earlier, the law was passed by the State Duma on January 13th, and by the Federation Council on January 25th.The Treaty represents a balanced document, meeting modern requirements and international law standards on social security. It is based on the proportional principle when each Party allocates and pays pensions at the expense of its own budget and under its own legislation, being based on the pension rights acquired on its territory including those of RSFSR and ESSR. To determine the right on the pension, the work records on the territories of both the Parties sum up. It is important that the Treaty empowers Russian military pensioners residing in Estonia to receive simultaneously long-service pension in accordance with Russian legislation and social insurance pension from Republic of Estonia.The Treaty is applied to persons, residing in the territories of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia and having the citizenship of these countries or no citizenship at all.The Treaty replaced the outdated Agreement between the Governments of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Estonia on cooperation in pension provision, which expired on October 16th, 2011. It is important, that pension rights acquired by the citizens under the outdated Agreement still stand. At the same time, the pensions allocated before the Treaty was put into force may be revised under its provisions based on a person’s application. This revision cannot result in reduction of the pension.The Treaty implementation is very convenient for the citizens since all the procedures on their pension provision are carried out by the competent authorities of the Parties: the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and the Department for Social Insurance of the Republic of Estonia. Thus, to allocate Russian pension to a person residing in Estonia, the person is to apply to the Department mentioned above.It should be noticed that to observe pension rights of the citizens, prevent legal vacuum in the procedure of pension provision, and ensure uninterrupted allocation and payment of pensions, the provisions of the Treaty have been successfully implemented since October 16th, 2011 by virtue of the Agreement on temporary application of the Treaty (Order of the Government of the Russian Federation of September 27th, 2011 ¹ 1643-r). Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:41:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/41921.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/41921.html On February 1st 2012 labor pensions of nearly 37 million Russian pensioners were adjusted by 7%. As a result, the average amount of the old-age labor pension has reached 9,500 rubles. As for the further growth of pensions in 2012, additional indexation of labor pensions is expected from April 1st taking into account PFR revenues raise per one pensioner and indexation of social pensions taking into account the growth rate of subsistence minimum in the Russian Federation over the past year. On February 1st 2012 labor pensions of nearly 37 million Russian pensioners were adjusted by 7%. As a result, the average amount of the old-age labor pension has reached 9,500 rubles. As for the further growth of pensions in 2012, additional indexation of labor pensions is expected from April 1st taking into account PFR revenues raise per one pensioner and indexation of social pensions taking into account the growth rate of subsistence minimum in the Russian Federation over the past year. From April 1st monthly cash benefits will be adjusted by 6%. With that, the financial provision of Russian citizens will be no less than the regional minimum of subsistence. If the total amount of pensioners’ financial provision does not reach minimum of subsistence established in a Russian Federation subject, then social supplementary benefit is set for such pensioners. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/41504.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/41504.html In 2011 payment off mortgage loans was the most popular way of spending the maternity capital. Over 110 billion rubles has transferred the Pension fund upon applications of the maternity capital certificate owners for this purpose. In 2011 payment off mortgage loans was the most popular way of spending the maternity capital. Over 110 billion rubles has transferred the Pension fund upon applications of the maternity capital certificate owners for this purpose. During the course of program 678,000 Russian families partially or fully paid off the housing loans worth 218 billion rubles by means of the maternity capital.However, from 2010 onwards the Pension fund has received nearly 257,000 applications from the families who have decided on the major way to spend the maternity capital. Of these, 236,000 applications - to improve living conditions for the total amount of 73 billion rubles (of these, in 2011 - 188,000 applications worth 58 billion rubles); 20,000 applications - for children’s education worth 1 billion rubles (of these, in 2011 – 14,300 applications worth 751 million rubles), and 762 applications for funds to be transferred to the accumulated part of mother’s pension worth 140 million rubles (of these, in 2011 - 438,000 applications worth 86 million rubles). It’s important to note that according to the recent official law certificate owners, who transferred funds to the accumulated part of mother’s pension may receive them as an express payment after retirement. The term of such payment is defined by a person, but no less than 10 years.An important feature of express payment is that if a person dies even after the benefit was allocated, a person’s legal successor has the right to receive the unpaid remains of the funds. The rest of maternity capital as well as funds received as revenue from their investment will be paid only to a legal successor by the certificate for maternity capital – father of the child, or directly to the child/children.The Pension fund reminds that since recently owners of the maternity capital certificates may spend the capital not only to children's education, but to pay for hostel the child lives in. Currently the maternity capital certificates have been received by 3,4 million Russian families (of these, in 2011 – 707,000 families). To date, it amounts to 387,600 rubles. The PFR budget for 2012 allocates 162,700 billion rubles to pay maternity capital. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:02:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40683.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40683.html The PFR Board held on the day of the 21st anniversary of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation an extended video-conference meeting led by the PFR Head Anton Drozdov and attended by the Board members, Heads of the PFR Departments and Heads of the Fund’s Executive Directorate Divisions. The PFR Board held on the day of the 21st anniversary of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation an extended video-conference meeting led by the PFR Head Anton Drozdov and attended by the Board members, Heads of the PFR Departments and Heads of the Fund’s Executive Directorate Divisions.The key subjects of the meeting – preliminary summing up of the PFR performance in 2011, determining priority tasks for the Fund in 2012, and measures to fulfill them. Thus, allocation and payment of pensions, the state social assistance in 2011 were provided on time and without failures. The fund, as the administrator of insurance premiums for mandatory pension insurance and compulsory medical insurance has executed all planned targets on collection of premiums.In 2012, the Russian pension Fund will raise labor pensions twice. The first indexation will take place on February 1 – labor pensions will be raised by 7%, the second one – on April 1 – by 2.4%. In August, the pensions of working retirees will be traditionally recalculated.The state pensions, including social pensions will be increased on April 1 by 14.1%. The monthly cash benefits will also be indexed by 6% on April 1.As result, by the end of 2012, the average amount of labor pensions in Russia will have amounted to 9,394 rubles, social pensions – 5,952 rubles.Beginning with July 2012 Russian pensioners entitled to receiving accumulated part of the pension will be able to get the corresponding allowances from the pension accumulations. Depending on structure of pension accumulations: as a lump sum payment, as immediate pension benefit and as accumulated part of labor pension (without time limit).At present, the PFR is organizing work to start paying pension accumulations to the pensioners in second half of 2012. Next year changes will concern not only future and current pensioners but employers-policy holders as well. Starting with 2012 the insurance premium rate in the PFR will be reduced from 26% to 22%.  The basic financial part of each worker – maximum yearly income - from which insurance premiums are paid will be indexed as well.It will rise from 463 000 to 512 000 rubles. A 10% tariff of an insurance premium above the maximum basic part for insurance premiums’ accruing will be established as well. The rate of insurance premiums to Social Insurance Fund and Funds of Compulsory Medical Insurance will not change in 2012 and stay as it was in 2011. Apart from all this, the maternity capital will be indexed by 6% on January 1, 2012 and will amount to 387.6 thousand rubles. The federal budget allocates 162.7 billion rubles to pay maternity capitalin 2012.From July 1 the PFR will extend the list of public services rendered using the system of interagency electronic interaction, which will reduce the amount of work for the citizens and policy holders to collect and get ready all necessary documents.On behalf of the PFR Board Anton Drozdov congratulated all staff on the 21st anniversary of the Fund and wished good health and wellbeing in the coming year. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:35:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40252.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40252.html Starting with 2012 the payers effecting insurance premiums on the assumption of the insurance year cost will not have to submit a yearly report to the PFR. This category includes sole proprietors, heads and members of farming enterprises, lawyers, private notaries, and other persons having private practice. Starting with 2012 the payers effecting insurance premiums on the assumption of the insurance year cost will not have to submit a yearly report to the PFR. This category includes sole proprietors, heads and members of farming enterprises, lawyers, private notaries, and other persons having private practice. The only exception is heads of farming enterprises, who have to submit a report to the PFR on the results of 2011 operation. Thereby, there is no necessity for sole proprietors to report to the PFR in 2012.Other payers of insurance premiums to mandatory pension insurance and compulsory medical insurance continue to report to the Russian Pension Fund in 2011.As it has been this year, the reports are to be presented no later than 15th day of the second calendar month following the reporting period (a quarter, 9 months, and a calendar year). Thereby, the last reporting dates in the year 2012 are 15 February, 15 May, 15 August and 15 November. Every quarter and at the same time the employers have to submit insurance premiums calculations and information on the personalized records – this saves their time and helps to avoid disagreement of two reports.As it has been in 2011, the employers whose staff is more than 50 people as of 1 January 2012 will have to report electronically with digital signature. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:33:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40148.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40148.html From 1 January 2012 the amendments to the law on insurance premiums*enter into force. In the first place, these changes concern the rate of insurance premiums as well as employers entitled to reduced tariffs for insurance premiums. From 1 January 2012 the amendments to the law on insurance premiums*enter into force. In the first place, these changes concern the rate of insurance premiums as well as employers entitled to reduced tariffs for insurance premiums. We remind, that this year the total rate of insurance premiums is 34%. Of this, employers pay 26% to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, 2.9% - to the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation, 3.1% and 2% - to Federal and Territorial Funds of compulsory medical insurance respectively. Next year the rate of insurance premiums in the PFR will be reduced from 26% to 22%. Simultaneously, the basic financial part of each worker – maximum yearly income - from which insurance premiums are paid will be indexed. It will rise from 463 000 to 512 000 rubles. A 10% tariff of an insurance premium above the maximum basic part for insurance premiums’ accruing will be established as well. The rate of insurance premiums to the Social Insurance Fund and Funds of compulsory medical insurance will not be changed and will be equal to that in 2011. Apart from all this, from the beginning of 2012, the list of those entitled to reduced tariffs for insurance premiums will be changed. Now the list includes the following organizations: pharmaceutical organizations paying single tax on imputed income, non-commercial organizations, applying simplified tax system and engaged in social services for citizens, scientific research and developments, education, healthcare, culture and art, and mass sports (excluding professional), charity organizations applying simplified tax system, organizations rendering engineering services, excluding those having concluded agreements on technical and innovative activity with management bodies of special economic zones. Changes are also made for insurance premiums payers paying allowances and other benefits to crew members of ships, registered in the Russian international list of ships. A tariff of 0% is applied for these payers. Besides, a list of insured people whose benefit an employer should pay insurance premiums on is extended. Insured persons now include foreign citizens with a status of temporary residence in the RF. The payers’ duty to report every year is now abolished for those, paying insurance premiums based on insurance year, except for heads of farms. The rest payers of insurance premiums will still in 2012 present reports to two funds: the Pension fund of the Russian Federation and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation. As it has been this year, the reports are to be presented no later than 15th day of the second calendar month following the reporting period (a quarter, 9 months, and a calendar year). Thereby, the last reporting dates in the year 2012 are 15 February, 15 May, 15 August and 15 November. It will be necessary to present both calculations of insurance premiums to the PFR and FFCMI and information on personalized records in “one window” mode, which will allow employers to save time. As it has been in 2012, the employers whose staff is more than 50 people as of 1 January 2012 will have to report electronically with digital signature. *Federal law dated July 24, 2009, ¹121-FZ “On insurance premiums to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation, Federal Fund of Compulsory Medical Insurance and territorial funds of compulsory medical insurance” (considering amendments and additions). Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:22:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/39659.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/39659.html Moscow, 5 December 2011. President Dmitry Medvedev signed the law “On the budget of the Pension fund of the Russian Federation for 2012 and planned period of 2013 and 2014”. Earlier, the law was approved by the State Duma on 22 November, and by the Federation Council on 25 November. Moscow, 5 December 2011. President Dmitry Medvedev signed the law “On the budget of the Pension fund of the Russian Federation for 2012 and planned period of 2013 and 2014”. Earlier, the law was approved by the State Duma on 22 November, and by the Federation Council on 25 November. According to the law the total revenues of the PFR in 2012 will amount to 5.7 trillion rubles (in 2011 – 5.14 trillion rubles) which stands for 9.7% of the country’s GDP. The total expenditures will amount to 5.4 trillion rubles (in 2011 – 4.82 trillion rubles). Revenues’ exceeding expenditures will constitute 289.6 billion rubles. The PFR budget will allocate 4.2 trillion rubles in 2012 to pay labor pensions. The federal budget will transfer 1.5 trillion rubles to the PFR budget to carry out the government’s obligations to pay state pensions, benefits, lump sum cash benefits, maternity capital, other social allowances and to co-fund pension accumulations. The federal budget provides in 2012 162.7 billion rubles for the PFR budget to pay maternity capital. The amount of maternity capital will be indexed on 1 January 2012 by 6.0% and will stand for 387.6 thousand rubles. The PFR budget takes in account the federal budget funds to co-fund pension accumulations at the expense of the National Wealth Fund in 2012 for the sum of 7.4 billion rubles (in 2011 – 5 billion rubles). To perform the tasks of further improvement of the pensioners’ financial welfare the budget of the Pension Fund in 2012 provides funds for the following events: indexation of labor pensions on 1 February 2012 by 7% and on 1 April 2012 by 2.4%; 6% rise of lump sum cash benefit on 1 April 2012. indexation of social pensions and state pensions by 14.1% on 1 April 2012. The minimum of pension provision considering the measures of social support and allocation of social supplementary allowances for non-working pensioners will be maintained at the pensioner’ssubsistence level in the subject of the Russian Federation. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:05:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40147.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/40147.html From 1 July 2012 Russian pensioners entitled by law to receive accumulated part will be able to receive adequate payments of pension accumulations. These payments will be effected by both the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and non-state pension funds depending on where the pensioner put their pension savings. From 1 July 2012 Russian pensioners entitled by law to receive accumulated part will be able to receive adequate payments of pension accumulations. These payments will be effected by both the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and non-state pension funds depending on where the pensioner put their pension savings. The law stipulates several ways the pension accumulations could be paid in. A person whose accumulated part is 5% or less of their old-age pension will be able to receive all pension accumulations flat. This category includes, first of all, men born in 1953-1966 and women born in 1957-1966, for whom from 2002 to 2004 insurance premiums were paid for accumulated part of labor pensions. A lump sum payment can also be received by citizens entitled to social pension or labor disability or survivor pension who did not qualified for old-age labor pension due to lack of necessary insurance coverage (no less than 5 years), but have reached the retirement age (for men – 60 years, for women – 55 years). Pension accumulations could be received as immediate pension benefit. Immediate pension benefit can only include payments from additional contributions to accumulated part of labor pension within the framework of the State Pension Co-funding Program (both from a person and the State), and funds of Maternity Capital, in case a mother-owner of the certificate used the capital to make her pension. The length of such pension benefit is defined by a person, but no less than 10 years. In other words, immediate pension benefit is formed of all possible proceeds to accumulated part of labor pension and revenue from their investment, excluding the contributions paid by employer to the future pension of an employee within the framework of mandatory pension insurance. An important feature of immediate pension benefit is that if a person dies even after the benefit was allocated, a person’s legal successor has the right to receive the unpaid remains of the funds. The rest of maternity capital though, at accumulated part of pension as well as funds received as revenue from their investment will be paid only to a legal successor by the certificate for maternity capital – father of the child, or directly to the child/children. Finally, pension accumulations will be received in the most usual way – as accumulated part of old-age labor pension. In 2012, its amount will be calculated considering the expected period of payment at 18. That is, in order to determine a monthly amount of the payment of accumulated part in 2012, the overall sum of pension accumulations (including revenues form the investment) is divided into 216 months. It should be noted that immediate pension benefit and accumulated part of old-age labor pension are going to be adjusted every year – on August 1 – considering the contributions received to accumulated part of pensions. In addition, these two ways of payment ofpension accumulations can be combined given certain conditions. For example, pension accumulations of a person were accumulating at the expense of employer’s contributions within the framework of mandatory pension insurance, but at the same time a person was a participant of the State Pension Co-funding Program and/or used maternity capital to provide accumulated part of the pension. In this case, a person has two options. The first – to receive whole sum of pension accumulations as accumulated part of old-age labor pension. The second – a part, formed by employer’s contributions a person will receive permanently as accumulated part of old-age labor pension and contributions provided by the Co-funding Program and maternity capital – at person’s desire, as immediate pension benefit, defining its length but no less than 10 years. Although the law “On procedure of funding the payments at the expense of pension accumulations” enters into force on 1 July 2012, the provisions concerning immediate pension benefit and accumulated part of old-age labor pension are applied for citizens entitled to receipt of accumulated part of old-age labor pension from 1 January 2012. At the moment, the Russian Pension Fund is taking organizational preparatory measures to pay off, starting from the second half of 2012, funds of pension accumulations of citizens qualified for the receipt. *Federal law of 30 November 2011 ¹360-FZ “On procedure of funding the payments at the expense of pension accumulations” Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:21:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/39112.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/39112.html According to the Provisions on the procedure of paying pensions to citizens leaving (left) the Russian Federation for permanent residence abroad, approved by the Resolution of the Russian Federation Government dated 8 July 2002 ¹ 510, the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation transfers pension to the citizen’s account in a bank or other financial institution of foreign state of the citizen’s permanent residence. According to the Provisions on the procedure of paying pensions to citizens leaving (left) the Russian Federation for permanent residence abroad, approved by the Resolution of the Russian Federation Government dated 8 July 2002 ¹ 510, the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation transfers pension to the citizen’s account in a bank or other financial institution of foreign state of the citizen’s permanent residence.According to the information received, the Latvian Financial and Capital Markets Commission has decided to suspend operations at Latvijas Krajbanka.Considering this, we recommend citizens whose pensions from Russia are transferred to the accounts at Latvijas Krajbanka to submit essential details to transfer pensions to bank accounts (other financial institution).This information should be submitted to the Department for pension provision of persons residing abroad. For a quicker operation the relevant details can be sent by fax: (495) 987-80-70 or by on-line reception at the PFR site.Persons receiving Russian pensions under the Treaty on social provision cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Latvia dated 18 December 2007, through the Latvian State Social Insurance Agency, submit essential details of the bank account (other financial institution) to the Agency mentioned or one of its regional branches. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:15:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38784.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38784.html First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Viktor Zubkov and Chairman of the Pension Fund Executive Board Anton Drozdov have paid a working visit to Volgograd, where they had a look at the work of the regional Department and territorial divisions of the PFR. First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Viktor Zubkov and Chairman of the Pension Fund Executive Board Anton Drozdov have paid a working visit to Volgograd, where they had a look at the work of the regional Department and territorial divisions of the PFR.During the visit special attention was paid to implementation of social programs in Volgograd Region to which the PFR in 2011allocated more than 13 million rubles.Including more than 3 million rubles – for categorized social assistance, 10 million – for improvement of material and technical resources of social service facilities. They also discussed the issues of developing pension system in Volgograd Region, technical innovations being developed by Volgograd specialists and introduced in the work of the Department and divisions of the PFR, as well as subjects related to administration of insurance premiums for mandatory pension and compulsory medical insurances.Within their working trip Viktor Zubkov and Anton Drozdov solemnly handed a Volgograd resident Natalya Murtazayeva who this spring gave birth to her second son a 60,000th certificate for maternity (family) capital. According to the young mother she will spend money on the children’s education.“In our modern swiftly changing world one can’t do without higher education. That’s why I want my children to get all necessary knowledge to successfully realize their potential. And this maternity capital is a great aid to that” – said Natalya.It’s worth noting that as of today the certificates for more than 4 billion rubleshave been issued in Volgograd Region. The most of Volgograd residents – about 11 thousand people – have partly or in full paid off housing loans worth more than 3 billion rubles.We remind that the maternity capital amounts to 365,698 rubles 40 kopecks. It is planned that it will be indexed on the 1 January 2012 by 6 % and will amount to 387.6 thousand rubles. More than 3 million Russian families are owners of certificates for maternity (family) capital. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:50:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38783.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38783.html The number of participants in the State Pension Co-funding Program has exceeded 6 million people. Since the beginning of 2011 they have contributed 2.7 billion rubles to the fund of their future pensions. The number of participants in the State Pension Co-funding Program has exceeded 6 million people. Since the beginning of 2011 they have contributed 2.7 billion rubles to the fund of their future pensions.The PFR reminds all participants of the Program that to get funds of the state co-funding in 2011 it is necessary to make a contribution between 2,000 and 12,000 rubles for the accumulated part of the pensiontill the end of 2011. In this case the state will double the sum of contribution – will put the same sum on the “pension” account.Forms of payment receipts for transferring contributions within the framework of the Program with essential details of Sberbank regional brunches can be found on the PFR site. The PFR asks to fill in payment media accurately and check the number of individual pension account in the documents and in bank record while paying. The absence of the number of individual pension account in the bank record makes placing of the Program participants’ contributions on their individual personal accounts almost impossible. The Pension Fund also reminds that it is required by law to present a copy of payment order proving the payment of additional insurance premiums within the framework of the State Pension Co-funding Program to local regional divisions of the PFR no later than 20 days since the end of the quarter, in which the payment was effected. The Russian Pension Fund organizes the work of the call-center consulting people on participation in the State Pension Co-funding Program. By the phone number 8 800 505-55-55 (toll-free in Russia) anyone can get detailed information on how the Program operates, who and how can join it, who has special conditions of co-funding, etc.You can join the State Pension Co-funding Program till 1 October 2013. It is a ten-year program starting from the first contribution. To join the Program you should either submit an application to the local Pension Fund in person or through your employer, or through your transfer-agent (these include organizations which have an appropriate agreement with the PFR: banks, Russian Post and others).You can join the Program through the website of public services as well. This service is available for all registered users of the site – you just enter the section “Pension Fund of the Russian Federation” and fill in the form to join the Program. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:49:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38196.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38196.html The workshop has been organized by the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation. During the workshop the reports were presented by Minister of Health and Social Development Tatyana Golikova, Chairman of the PFR Board Anton Drozdov, Director of the Social Security Department of the International Labour Organization Michael Cichon and others. The workshop has been organized by the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation. During the workshop the reports were presented by Minister of Health and Social Development Tatyana Golikova, Chairman of the PFR Board Anton Drozdov, Director of the Social Security Department of the International Labour Organization Michael Cichon and others. Participants of the workshop, among them – representatives of the RF Government, specialized ministries and agencies, European institutions of social and pension insurance, non-state pension funds and asset managment companies, have discussed progressive foreign experience and the subject of further development of the Russian pension system, in particular the future of accumulated element of pension. Experts of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Bank and representatives of the countries which introduced accumulated element in their pension systems: Poland, Sweden, France, Ukraine and Germany also spoke at the workshop. Following the results of the workshop, the decision was made that Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development and the PFR together with the International Labour Organization would set up a working group to work out the Strategy for long-term development of the pension system up to 2050. “We will jointly analyze the state of the Russian pension system. Based on this analyses the ILO experts will be able to express their recommendations, what in their view optimal choice of a pension system development model is”, - Secretary of State – Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development Yuri Voronin comments on the forming of a working group. He added that the work on the Strategy for long-term development of the pension system up to 2050 would be completed in 2012. We remind that the Strategy for long-term development of the pension system is designed to introduce principles and form systematic approach to development of the pension system in Russia. The objective of the Strategy is to create a modern, balanced and clear for the citizens national pension system. Namely, it is designed to resolve problems of the tariff policy, retirement age, non-state pension insurance and early pensions.Workshop in pictures Presentations of participants of the international workshop “Principal tendencies of pension systems development in modern world”: Main report by Michael Cichon, Director of the ILO Social Security Department National report by Dr. Herbert Rische, President of the Federal Department for Pension Insurance of Germany National report by Zbigniew Derdziuk, President of the Polish Social Insurance Institution National Report by Marco Geraci, Project Manager of the Council on Pension Reform under the Government of France Report by Hokan Danielsson, CEO of OJSC IC ROSNO National report D.I. Rogachyova, Ph.D. (in law), Head of Sports Law Departmentof the Moscow State law AcademyReport of the World Bank was presented by Heinz Rudolph, Senior Financial Sector Specialist of the Global Capital Markets Department Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:51:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38182.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/38182.html During the visit of the official delegation of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation in Voronezh Region, First Deputy Chairman of the PFR Board Lilia Chizhik and Governor of Voronezh Region AlexeiGordeyev accompanied by the manager of the territorial Department of the PFR Alexander Merkulov solemnly opened a new nursing home for older persons in the village of Orlovo, Novousmansky District. During the visit of the official delegation of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation in Voronezh Region, First Deputy Chairman of the PFR Board Lilia Chizhik and Governor of Voronezh Region AlexeiGordeyev accompanied by the manager of the territorial Department of the PFR Alexander Merkulov solemnly opened a new nursing home for older persons in the village of Orlovo, Novousmansky District.The establishment designed for 100 people was constructed with the assistance of the PFR under a special project considering all peculiarities of its operation. It includes a two-story residential building, single-story administrative and household unit and attached cafeteria with utility space.All rooms for general use, passages, stairways, hallways, and architecture are in general adapted for older persons including those in need of outside assistance, particularly wheelchair users. Among recreational facilities there are a ballroom and a sports ground, and a computer classroom as well, where everyone can learn working at a computer.A mobile team is going to be organized in the nursing home to render domiciliary social aid. For this purpose the establishment is going to create a call service.Earlier, on 6th September, the similar nursing home for aged persons was opened by Head of the PFR Anton Drozdov in Lipovka, Bobrovsky District.Construction of nursing homes in Novousmansky District and in Lipovka is one of the elements of the social program in Voronezh Region. Amount of subsidies allocated by the Pension Fund for the implementation of the social program in the region amounted to 77.3 million rubles, including: the improvement of material and technical resourcesof social facilities - 73.9 million rubles, the provision of categorized social assistance to non-working retired people - 3.4 million rubles.The Pension Fund of the Russian Federation annually provides regions with social assistance in the form of grants, the amount of which is determined based on the data from the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia and the Federal State Statistics Service.After that the regions should submit an application, social program draft and other documents necessary for a grant. But the region itself must secure 50% of the costs of social program’s activities. After completing the work the regional administration reports to the PFR. In 2010, the amount of grants allocated from the PFR budget for social programs of the regions totaled 563 million rubles.In 2011, the PFR continued to provide subsidies to the budgets of the RF subjects to finance social programs associated with the improvementof material and technical resourcesof social facilities and providing categorized social assistance to non-working retired people. For these purposes budget provision of 1 billion rubleshas been allocated from the PFR federal budget in the form of interbudgettransfers. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:39:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/37926.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/37926.html Speaker of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Russian Pension Fund Anton Drozdov paid a working visit to Tula Region where they saw the operation of the PFR regional division. Speaker of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Russian Pension Fund Anton Drozdov paid a working visit to Tula Region where they saw the operation of the PFR regional division.During the visit particular attention was paid to implementation of social programs. Over 10 years, 140 million rubles has been allocated to improve material and technical resources of social facilities in the region. During the last 3 years with involvement of PFR funds the Tula Region has made major repairs in 7 social services facilities worth 17.6 million rubles, and provided categorized social assistance to 12,553 non-working pensioners, which is equal to 10.04 million rubles. This year 8 million rubles will be spent on these purposes.In all, beginning with 2000, the PFR has allocated over 22 billion rubles to fund social programs of the Russian regions.Within the framework of this working visit Mr Gryzlov and Mr Drozdov solemnly handed a resident of Tula a 25,000th certificate for maternity capital, issued by the PFR Department for Tula Region since the beginning of the program to support families with children. The certificate now is owned by Svetlana Pugach who recently has had her second son.According to the young mother, funds of the maternity capital are a substantial financial support to their family. “We want to buy a new apartment on credit and pay it off with the funds of the maternity capital” – said Svetlana.It should be noted that paying off mortgages and housing loans is still the most popular way to spend the maternity capital. As of today, more than 600,000 families across Russia have partially or in full paid off mortgages and housing loans equal to over 191 billion rubles with the help of the maternity capital.In addition, the PFR has received more than 200,000 applications of the families who decided how to spend the maternity capital. Of those, 186,000 applications – to improve housing conditions without involvement of loans, equal to 58 billion rubles; 15,000 applications – to educate children, equal to 790 million rubles and 633 applications – to transfer funds to accumulated part of the mother’s future pension, equal to 113 million rubles.Over the time the program to support families with children has been implemented, more than 3.1 million families (500,000 this year) have received certificates for maternity capital. As of today the maternity capital amounts to 365,698 rubles and 40 kopecks. It is planned that it will be indexed on the 1 January 2012 by 6 % and will amount to 387.6 thousand rubles. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:07:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/37928.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/37928.html Chairman of the PFR Executive Board has presented a report and answered the policy holders’ questions at the meeting of Management Board of OPORA RUSSIA Non-Government Organization for Small and Medium Entrepreneurship. Chairman of the PFR Executive Board has presented a report and answered the policy holders’ questions at the meeting of Management Board of OPORA RUSSIA Non-Government Organization for Small and Medium Entrepreneurship.In his report, Anton Drozdov pointed out that entrepreneurs should not take insurance premiums as a tax, because insurance premiums are personalized onerous payments of a policy holder for their employees, which funds the pension capital of employed people.The PFR Head informed that the PFR budget for 2012 is currently being approved. The budget takes into account changes of insurance premiums payable to the PFR from 26% to 22%for small businesses and non-governmental organizations, whose general activity is in social services, as well as charity organizations and organizations using simplified tax system – decrease to 20% from the yearly salary budget without paying insurance premiums for a 10 % tariff from more than 512,000 rubles yearly salary budget of an employee.In addition to already existing groups with preferential terms, in 2012, their number is planned to be increased and the types of their activity, giving the right to apply reduced tariffs in small business, are going to be expanded. Besides, the PFR has the objective to create comfortable conditions for payers of insurance premiums, including entities of medium and small entrepreneurship. To provide more favorable conditions for payers of insurance premiums to submit reports to the PFR, the proposals to optimize the rules of reports’ making and submission, including simplification of RSV-1 form, are being developed. The PFR Head called for all policy holders to use electronic form of interaction with the Pension Fund, noting that in 2011 the level of reporting to the PFR by protected channels and with digital signature would reach 60% of the total number of policy holders.Also during today’s meeting the Pension Fund and OPORA RUSSIA signed an Agreement on interaction in development of mandatory pension insurance in the Russian Federation. The document was signed by Chairman of the PFR Executive Board Anton Drozdov and President of OPORA RUSSIA Sergey Borisov. The goal of the Agreement is to increase effectiveness of interaction between the parties in issues concerning implementation of the legislation on insurance premiums, individual (personalized) records of pension rights and implementation of the Program for State Co-funding of voluntary pension savings.The document stipulates the provisions for mutual operation, in the framework of which the PFR and OPORA RUSSIA willhold joint meetings, workshops and conferences, provide mutual organizational, informational and consulting assistance.The PFR will provide OPORA RUSSIA with timely information on the changes in the regulatory legal acts, reference and clarification materials concerning calculation and payment of insurance premiums, making reports and using electronic forms of document circulation with the PFR, and other issues of mandatory pension insurance.In its turn, OPORA RUSSIA will give its regional divisions all the necessary information on changes in the legislation, regulating the payment of insurance premiums.In addition, in order to improve financial discipline of policy holders OPORA RUSSIA will carry out informational, organizational and explanatory work with its members, including using Internet resources, concerning timely payment of insurance premiums and reporting to the PFR, increase of cooperation efficiency between the regional divisions of the PFR and payers of the insurance premiums. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:09:00 +0400 http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/37521.html http://www.pfrf.ru/ot_en/pr_releases/37521.html President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev has signed the Federal law “On execution of the budget of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation for 2010”. The revenues of the Fund in 2010 totaled 4. President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev has signed the Federal law “On execution of the budget of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation for 2010”. The revenues of the Fund in 2010 totaled 4.61 trillion rubles, the expenses of the PFR budget were 4.25 trillion rubles.Revenues of the budget excluding financing of the accumulated part of labor pensions, amounted to 4.25 trillion rubles, expenses – 4.18 trillion rubles.In 2010 the Fund executed all public standard obligations, for which was allocated 4.1 trillion rubles (96.7% of the PFR budget expenses), provided timely payment of pensions, allowances and compensations, other social benefits, carried out measures to increase pensions and improve the financial situation of the certain categories of citizens.Expenses for pension provision of 39.7 million people totaled 3.7 trillion rubles, which is 1.1 trillion rubles more than in 2009. 435.4 billion rubles was allocated to social assistance and other measures of social support of citizens.You can find complete information on execution of the PFR budget for 2010 and the PFR operation in 2010 on the PFR website. Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:44:00 +0400