When the Pensions and Benefits for Displaced Persons from Artsakh Will Be Paid

The work experience and military service in Artsakh will be taken into account for receiving pensions and benefits in Armenia. This was announced by the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Narek Mkrtchyan, during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, where he presented a draft law on amendments to the laws on "State Pensions" and "State Benefits" in Armenia.

"Our citizens forcibly displaced from Artsakh will have the opportunity to benefit from their social guarantees in Armenia and receive pensions and benefits. These legislative changes define the specifics of receiving pensions and benefits, as well as the calculation procedure," Mkrtchyan detailed.

According to the Minister, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia will acquire and localize the database of work experience and military service data from Artsakh, enabling the forcibly displaced individuals to receive their pensions and benefits.

In response to a question regarding whether pensions and benefits will be provided to Artsakh residents who are not citizens of Armenia or do not wish to become citizens, the minister stated that regardless of their citizenship application, they would receive pensions since they already hold refugee status.

"If a person's retirement age was reached after the deportation on September 19, they can apply to the relevant social territorial centers operating in Armenia, and just like Armenian citizens, they will go through the same procedures and receive their pensions," he added.

Mkrtchyan also informed that the calculations for pensions and benefits for October and November will soon be completed, and payments will begin in December.