Iran Social Security Organization pension administration

Iran’s Social Security Organization has faced challenges regarding the disbursement of pension benefits and arrears. In late July, the organization reported that while pension benefits were raised in May, unpaid arrears from the months of Farvardin and Ordibehesht remained outstanding. CEO Mustafa Salari stated that no specific date had been set for these payments, noting they would be issued once “the required financial resources are secured.”

During this period, officials also proposed a reform to the pension calculation method. The plan involves moving from a model based on the last two years of wages to a coefficient-based formula covering an individual’s entire career, which is expected to increase average pensions by 10–15% and reduce insurance evasion.

By mid-August, the organization announced the payment schedule for August salaries for over 5.3 million retirees. While the regular August disbursements were scheduled to begin on August 20, the organization maintained that official notification regarding the payment of arrears related to annual increases and salary adjustments for April and May would only be provided once necessary financial resources were secured.

On August 22, Ahmad Midari, the Minister of Cooperations, Labor, and Social Welfare, provided a specific timeline for these outstanding payments. Midari announced that the payment of arrears from the months of Farvardin and Ordibehesht is scheduled to begin on September 1 (9 Shahrivar). This follows previous indications that payments might not commence until as late as September 6 (15 Shahrivar). Additionally, the Minister noted that the President has ordered the provision of resources to maintain the electronic coupon scheme for underprivileged households.