On September 28, a presidential decree "On Additional Measures to Introduce Modern Services in State Pension Provision" was signed. This document is aimed at fundamentally renewing the country's social protection system and envisages serious changes in the procedures for calculating, assigning, and paying pensions in the coming years. The decree was developed with the goal of strengthening social justice, deepening digitalization, and creating convenience for citizens.
One of the key innovations will be the right for individuals with official income to voluntarily pay social tax for their non-working family members to form their work experience. This right comes into force on January 1, 2027. The payment amount will be 12 percent of the minimum wage, which currently equals 163,200 soums. This mechanism will open the path to pension provision, in particular, for housewives, students, and those employed in the informal sector.
From October 1, 2026, individuals working under civil law contracts will automatically be credited with one year of work experience upon payment of social tax. In this case, the citizen must pay social tax in the amount established for self-employed persons. This rule will serve to legalize informal labor relations and protect the pension rights of many citizens.
A more equitable approach to disability pensions is also being introduced. From January 1, 2027, when recalculating pensions for disability groups I and II, the work experience and wages earned during the period of receiving a group III disability pension will be taken into account. This will prevent a reduction in the pension amount for citizens whose degree of disability has worsened.
To ensure financial stability, from February 1, 2027, together with the Tax Committee, a system will be introduced to allow monthly transfers to the Pension Fund of funds compensating for the costs of paying preferential pensions. This system will help properly distribute the financial burden associated with preferential pensions.
The Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment, by November 1, 2026, will ensure the possibility of forming and maintaining information on periods of special work experience that give citizens the right to preferential pensions in the interdepartmental software and hardware complex "Unified National Labor System". This system will also store data on the results of workplace certification for working conditions and equipment injury risks. This will make the process of confirming the right to a preferential pension transparent and efficient.
The "Uzarchive" Agency, until April 1, 2027, will accept free of charge, as an exception, accounting and other documents of liquidated enterprises and organizations that have not been transferred to archival bodies. In particular, payroll books, hiring and dismissal orders will be accepted. This will allow citizens to avoid difficulties in confirming their work experience.
The digitalization process also affects banking services. The Central Bank, from November 1, 2026, will introduce a procedure for opening bank cards for pensioners using biometric identification — Face ID. And from April 1, 2027, a system will be introduced for financing funds for pensions and other payments to unified accounts of commercial banks and crediting them to pensioners' bank cards or pension electronic wallets opened in mobile applications of commercial banks. This will speed up processes and reduce paperwork.
The decree also stipulates that from November 1, some unemployed citizens will be assigned an old-age pension proactively two years before the generally established age, and from 2027, a survivor's pension will also be assigned without an application. In addition, from 2027, the Pension Fund will not accept paper documents from citizens. This is an important step towards the complete transfer of public services to digital format.
Source: www.gazeta.uz