Residents of high-altitude villages do not receive pension benefits — MP

Residents of villages situated at an altitude of over 1,800 metres above sea level and recently classified as high-altitude areas are unable to claim pension benefits. This was reported by MP Baktybek Choybekov during a session of the Jogorku Kenesh.

According to him, a relevant law was passed last year.

According to the document, settlements, including the villages of Kopuro-Bazar (1,963 metres) and Ak-Korgon (1,976 metres) in Talas Region, were included in the category of high-altitude areas. However, despite this, residents working and living there do not receive pension benefits, as their territories are located below 2,000 metres.

According to the Social Fund’s explanation, retirement benefits are provided only to residents of settlements located above 2,000 metres. If the altitude is lower, no benefits are provided.

Choibekov noted that, according to the law adopted by the Jogorku Kenesh, benefits should apply to all residents of villages above 1,800 metres, and requested that a formal instruction be issued to resolve this issue.

It should be added that in Kyrgyzstan, retirement benefits are provided for citizens living and working in high-altitude areas. Thus, whilst the standard retirement age in the country is 63 for men and 58 for women, residents of high-altitude areas may retire eight years earlier — women at 50 and men at 55. However, to qualify, one must have lived and worked in such areas for at least 20 years.

Furthermore, women living and working in high-altitude areas who have given birth to three or more children are permitted to retire at the age of 45.