RF govt to adjust pensions upwardly on Apr 1 - Putin
MOSCOW. March 5. KAZINFORM. The government of the Russian Federation will adjust pensions upwardly by 6.3 percent on April 1 despite the pension fund deficit, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told a government meeting here on Thursday; Kazinform refers to Itar-Tass.
"Beginning from April 1, pensions in Russia shall be adjusted upwardly by 6.3 percent. I direct you to do that," Putin said.
In the process, according to Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, Russian pensioners should not expect an additional indexation (apart from the 6.3-percent increase) soon.
According to Kudrin, last year's Pension Fund incomes proved lower than the forecast ones, which brings about a deficit of the Fund. "Even according to the planned incomes, a deficit may turn out to be from 130,000 million to 170,000 million roubles -- this is approximately the amount that we planned to spend on an additional, not envisioned by law, indexation of pensions," he specified.
"We are currently in a situation showing that if we effect an upward adjustment (of pensions), we shall have to look for another 130-170 billion roubles this year, which would require an increase in the budget deficit or cuts in the programmes regarding all ministries and agencies," Kudrin added; Kazinform cites Itar-Tass.