The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)’s faction in the State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) has once again raised the issue of abolishing social pensions for foreign citizens permanently residing in the country, arguing that the measure would ease pressure on the federal budget.
Speaking to Gazeta.ru, LDPR leader Leonid Slutsky said on September 28 that Russia is facing “a critical moment” amid the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, as well as social and demographic challenges, all of which require substantial financial resources.
“Every kopek counts,” Slutsky said, questioning why foreigners who “have not contributed to the development of the country” are entitled to pension benefits. He added that while Russian pensioners receive modest sums, some foreign citizens — “including those who despise Russia” — benefit from state support.
According to LDPR, providing social benefits to migrants is unjustified and should be stopped. The party argues that canceling such payments would reduce the strain on Russia’s pension system and budget.
Slutsky noted that net migration to Russia in 2024 reached about 600,000 people — the highest figure in three decades. A policy note accompanying the initiative states that the proposal is aimed at protecting the pension system from “excessive obligations.”
Currently, Russian law grants pension rights to foreign citizens and stateless persons if they have permanently resided in the country for at least 15 years and reached the retirement age — 70 for men and 65 for women.
As of September 1, 2024, Russia had more than 6.1 million registered foreign nationals, according to migration statistics.
Meanwhile, pensions in Russia are subject to annual indexation: they rose by 7.5% in 2024 and are set to increase by 14.75% in 2025. The average pension now stands at 15,456 rubles (approximately $160).
Recall, RIA Novosti reported on June 3 this year that the LDPR faction’s in the State Duma has submitted a draft law to the Russian government that aims to abolish social pensions for foreign nationals upon retirement. The bill reportedly proposes to eliminate social pension payments for foreigners “taking into account appropriate supplements.” The LDPR faction members point out that the ratio of the average assigned pension to the average wage in Russia stands at around 28%, meaning pensions compensate for less than a third of wages, highlighting their very low levels across the country.
LDPR has argued that this initiative will help protect the pension system from unjustified obligations, reduce the budgetary burden, and restore trust in the principle of pensions as a result of participation in the country's life.
The LDPR is a Russian ultranationalist and right-wing populist political party in Russia. It succeeded the Liberal Democratic Party of the Soviet Union (LDPSU) in Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The party was led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky since its inception until his death in April 2022. Opposing both communism and capitalism of the 1990s, the party scored a major success in the 1993 Duma elections with almost 23% of the vote, giving it 64 seats of the 450 seats in the State Duma. In the 2021 elections, the party received 7.55% of the vote, giving it 21 seats.
Despite the party's name, it has been described as "neither liberal nor democratic nor a party". The LDPR was centered around Zhirinovsky, and is often described as populist, nationalist, or ultranationalist. It has been described as adhering to statism and authoritarianism, and has also been described as fascist, though this label has been disputed. The party, as part of the “systemic opposition”, is considered to be traditionally loyal to the Kremlin.
