In Uzbekistan, the share of old-age pensions assigned proactively — without a citizen's application — reached 85% by July 2026. This was announced by Nuriddin Shodikhodjayev, deputy director of the Pension Fund, at a Senate meeting on August 7.
The system was launched in 2025, and in the first month this figure was only 42%. Senator Malika Kodirkhonova raised the issue, noting that about 8,000 appeals were received over six months, some related to incomplete accounting of work experience due to shortcomings in data digitization.
As a result, pensions were calculated in smaller amounts, according to applicants. The senator asked how many such cases occurred after the new system was launched and whether the introduction of proactive procedures for disability pensions would lead to similar problems.
Shodikhodjayev said the fund has established electronic data exchange with 18 ministries and agencies for proactive pension assignment. He noted that one of the main reasons for the low initial figure was incomplete digitization of data on citizens' labor activity.
"First of all, problems arose related to the extent to which data on citizens' entire labor activity is digitized in the relevant ministries and agencies. Today these issues are being resolved gradually," he stressed.
By July 2026, the share of proactively assigned pensions had grown to 85%. The Pension Fund also announced plans to fully transfer relevant public services to a proactive and electronic format by the end of 2027.
During the discussion, it was proposed to extend the proactive assignment of old-age pensions to citizens with I and II disability groups. According to estimates, this would allow about 52,000 people per year to receive pensions without an application.
It was also reported that since the system's launch, 154,205 citizens have been assigned old-age pensions without submitting an application. They were not required to contact the Pension Fund or fill out a form.
Following the discussions, Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva drew attention to risks in implementing the new norms. She said proactive pension assignment should free citizens, including persons with disabilities, from excessive appeals to state bodies, but technical and organizational problems should not lead to the opposite result.
"The benefits and opportunities being created, proactive pension assignment — all this should not turn into a complicated process due to various organizational, technical factors or inconsistencies in law enforcement," she said.
Narbayeva stressed the need to address problems and shortcomings on the ground and to promptly inform persons with disabilities about new opportunities. She listed the Pension Fund, the Ministry of Justice, disability societies, and relevant NGOs among such organizations.
It should be recalled that senators approved amendments providing for proactive assignment of pensions to citizens with I and II disability groups. The new procedure is expected to cover about 52,000 people per year. A system of automatic recalculation and protection against excessive deductions is also being introduced.
Source: www.gazeta.uz