Pension in Latvia in 2021: minimum, average and retirement age

Modern pension system in Latvia

As of 2021, 450,124 pensioners live in Latvia. Moreover, over 11 years, their number has increased by 14,000. Currently, statistics on the number of pensioners in Latvia shows that the number of citizens of retirement age continues to increase and amounts to 21.8%, while the number of children under the age of 14 is decreasing. This is an alarming indicator, one of the reasons for which is the outflow of the working-age population to EU countries.

In accordance with the pension reform of 2021, the retirement age in Latvia began to increase by 3 months annually. In 2021 it was 62 years. However, the legislation stipulates a number of conditions under which pension provision in Latvia can be assigned ahead of schedule.

In particular, Latvian citizens can currently request an old-age pension until the age of 62:

• having work experience of more than 30 years (2 years earlier);
• parent or guardian of a minor child, provided that he has at least 25 years of experience and has cared for 5 children or a disabled child for at least eight years (5 years earlier);
• persons who took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant with at least 15 years of experience (5 years earlier);
• the retirement age in Latvia has been reduced for women with permanent disabilities and at least 20 years of experience;
• women who have raised a disabled child or five or more children under 8 years of age, and also have at least 20 years of experience;
• blind people, dwarfs and midgets with at least 15 years of experience for women and 20 years for men;
• persons who, before 1996, worked in harmful and difficult working conditions (with 20 years of experience for women and 25 for men), as well as in especially harmful and especially difficult working conditions (with 15 years of experience for women and 20 years for men)

All cases of early retirement in Latvia are stipulated by law. The maximum period for early retirement is from 2 to 5 years and is determined by the presence of a minimum insurance period. The amount of monthly pension payments in this case is calculated on a general basis. However, a number of benefits can significantly improve the financial situation of pensioners.

Otherwise, the retirement age in Latvia in 2020 for men and women is 62 years. Upon reaching it, the citizen must apply for a pension by submitting the following documents:

• identification document;
• application for a pension;
• documents confirming work experience and a work book.

Amount of pension benefits

Let's look at what pensions pensioners in Latvia have now. The number of elderly citizens in the country increases every year. For a state where the standard of living is one of the lowest in Europe, this creates additional difficulties. Over the past 10 years, the number of senior citizens has increased by 3%. According to the statistical office, by the end of 2021, 410 thousand elderly people lived in the state, which is 20% of the country’s total population.

Average pension in Latvia for 2021 – 320 euros. About 5% of all senior citizens receive a minimum pension of 88 euros. This payment is barely enough to cover food, given that the cost of living in the country is 174 euros. The size of the pension in Latvia is influenced by factors such as length of service and insurance contributions.

The majority (62.8%) receive between 250 and 350 euros. 25% of the elderly population receive a pension of 350 to 400 euros. Only 7.5% of elderly citizens receive payments in the amount of 400 to 500 euros.

Features of the pension system

To understand how pensions are calculated, it is important to learn about the current pension system. It includes 3 levels at which payments are formed differently. The first two are state-owned. They take care of providing for every person who has 15 years of experience and has reached the age of 62 years.

Payments are made on the basis of deductions made by employees during their working career. The last level is formed thanks to the contribution of the citizens themselves.

Social tax in 2021 is 34%. In this case, the main part is contributed by the employer, and only 10.5% is withheld from the citizen’s income. The following types of payments are distinguished:

1. Pension provision from general funds that come from the population from wages.
2. A pension that was accumulated from insurance payments of every citizen born after July 1, 1971.
3. Voluntary savings of citizens. These are the amounts that are deducted to the pension fund in the process of working independently.

At what age do they retire?

In accordance with the country's legislation, the retirement age in Latvia for men starts at 62 years, as for women. But since 2014, this limit has gradually increased. It is planned that by 2025 the retirement age will be 65 years.

There are some exceptions when early retirement is granted:

• parents with many children with at least 5 children retire 8 years earlier;
• if a citizen participated in the liquidation of the Chernobyl accident, he can retire at the age of 57;
• if you have at least 30 years of work experience, you can retire at age 60;
• a parent or guardian of a child with a disability can retire 8 years earlier.

Also, disabled women, dwarfs, and citizens with visual impairments retire earlier.

Pension size in Latvia in 2019

To find out the size of your future payments, you need to use the following formula, which can be used to easily calculate its size.

It looks like this:

P = K/G:12

In which P is the amount of payments, K is the total amount of money for payments, G is the term and period of the payment.

The average size

In addition to the formula for calculation established by the state, there are also two types of payments, the amount of which is fixed. These are the average and minimum payments. First, let's look at the average pension. Its size is 304 euros this year.

Minimum size

Also another type is the minimum size. The amount of these payments is not fixed, since it is determined individually for each pensioner.

These payments also depend on several important factors, and they are as follows:

1. From work experience.
2. From the presence of disability in a pensioner.

Minimum pension amount

There is no official minimum set as it depends on contributions and lifetime work experience. In addition, a gradation of pensioners is established depending on social status and membership in certain professions.

The minimum pension in Latvia in 2021 is at 70.43 euros. At the same time, those who have an income below 128.06 euros per month receive beggar status. Local authorities establish the following benefits for such income:

• payment of utilities;
• Food;
• providing free lunches;
• funds for the purchase of firewood in the private sector.

Average payments to pensioners in the Republic of Latvia

What is the average pension in Latvia in 2021? It is equal to 304.30 euros in the country. This level exceeded last year's figures by 8.15 euros. But more than half of pensioners receive 200-300 euros monthly. 12.2% of pensioners receive less than 200 euros. And only 7.3% have payments over 27.4%.

Most pensioners have support from the state at the level of 300-500 euros monthly. This income is acceptable for most large cities, allowing you to live comfortably and pay for current expenses.

Pension indexation is carried out annually. After it, the average size increases by 18.27 euros. A maximum of 27.5 euros is added to monthly income. Only income up to 382 euros is indexed. If the amount is larger, the increase is carried out only from the amount of 382 euros.

Standard of living of pensioners in Latvia

How do pensioners live in Latvia?
They have the opportunity to support themselves with dignity if they have good experience. At the same time, more than 16% of older people continue to work over the age of 65. The bulk of working pensioners are in the Riga region, where the overall unemployment rate in the country is minimal and amounts to 4.6%. In most cases, an old-age pension allows you to avoid working as it provides basic expenses. This is true for those who have their own housing and use free medical care. Married couples and persons receiving child support have greater comfort.

Due to the fact that the retirement age for women in Latvia begins at the same time as men at 62, it is possible to retire almost simultaneously. Spouses, even with average income, can live with dignity.

Cost of living and pricing in Latvia

Low prices for essential goods do not affect the quality of products and services. Let's consider the average price indicators for food products collected in various cities of the Republic of Latvia:

• Bread (300-400 g) - 1-2 €.
• Potatoes (1 kg) – 1 €.
• Sugar (1 kg) – 1 €.
• Rice (1 kg) – 1-2 €.
• Oranges 1 kg – 1-2 €
• Apples (1 kg) – 1.05 €.
• Chicken fillet (1 kg) – 5-6 €.
• Wine (750 ml) - 6-7 €.

Prices for household goods and some services in Latvia:

• Utilities - approximately 150€ per month.
• Internet services for 1 month - 14.50 €.
• A trip around the city by taxi - 5 €.
• One trip on the bus – 1-2 €.
• Gasoline AI-95 (1 l) - 1-2 €.
• A visit to the cinema - 4-5 €.

Relatively affordable prices are the main advantage of living in Latvia. This is especially true if citizens’ income comes from abroad. Renting a one-room apartment located in the center of Latvia will cost 350 €, and in remote areas - about 250 €. Cost of 1 sq. m of real estate in central areas - 1,550 €, and outside the city - 955 €.

The situation of military pensioners in Latvia

In 2021, the Latvian State Audit Office noted the coincidence of periods when calculating and paying pensions to Russian military pensioners permanently residing in Latvia. As a result of the audit, it was found that for the same period, pensioners received payments from two states.

A decision was made to correct this situation, as a result of which the Latvian side stopped payments for the following periods paid by the Russian side:

• period of compulsory military service;
• long-term service in the Armed Forces of the USSR;
• service in internal affairs institutions;
• period of study at universities.

Russian military pensioners now receive a pension in Latvia only for their length of service, the amount of which must meet the standards of current legislation. The average pension for a Russian military pensioner - a citizen of the Russian Federation in Latvia by 2021 based on length of service is 550-560 €.

As for the Latvian military directly, from 2021 military pensions in Latvia for them will be calculated in a new way. Having served at least 25 years, you can now count on a service pension in the amount of 55% of the average salary during military service. The average military pension is 380€.

Pension for military personnel

Military personnel with Russian citizenship, thanks to their service in Latvia, received a pension in a foreign country. This situation has developed for a very long time. Many people know that during the existence of the USSR, military personnel were sent to serve in various regions of the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the USSR, Latvia decided to reward the military (not Latvian citizens, but Russian residents) for their past service and awarded them a pension.

Military pensioners in Latvia have long received pensions from two states: Latvia and the Russian Federation. But in 2011 the situation changed. The State Control of the Republic of Latvia established this fact, therefore Latvia stopped payments for the following periods that were previously paid by Russia:

1. Duration of compulsory military service.
2. Carrying out overtime service in the armed forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
3. Serving in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its structural divisions.

The fight for the rights of Russians in Latvia. More details in the next video.

Retired Russian military personnel receive pension payments from Latvia only for length of service. On average, a military pensioner with Russian citizenship receives benefits in the amount of 550 euros per month.

Benefits for pensioners in the Republic of Latvia

In Latvia, there are both national and local benefits for citizens who have reached retirement age. So, for example, residents of Daugavpils who have reached retirement age are provided with free travel on public transport.

A whole range of social benefits is available in Riga. You can find out what benefits low-income pensioners in Riga currently have by contacting your local social center:

• Riga 100-year-old pensioners receive a one-time payment of 150 €;
• senior citizens with disabilities receive assistance for housing arrangement in the amount of 2134 €;
• low-income pensioners with a monthly income of less than 128 € are entitled to a subsidy;
• pensioners have the right to a subsidy to cover the mandatory patient contribution of 71 € and an additional payment from the local budget for the partial purchase of medical supplies and medicines.

An application for benefits is accepted after a year of residence in Riga.

Latvian sailors sometimes find themselves in a rather difficult situation. Now a preferential pension for seafarers in Latvia can be requested if they work in harmful and difficult working conditions or upon being assigned a disability. Latvian seafarers working under the flags of third countries are in a special position - in this case they must voluntarily join state social insurance and make the necessary contributions. They are paid by the employer only if the vessels belong to Latvia, Norway and other EU countries.

At the state level, pensioners in Latvia are provided with the following subsidies:

• having the status of politically repressed: annual benefits for dental prosthetics, two free visits to the bathhouse per month for single people over 80 years of age and living in housing without amenities, free travel on public transport and an allowance for the purchase of a coffin and cross, as well as an allowance for the purchase of medicines;
• pensioners registered with the Center for Social Protection have the right to subsidies for the purchase of medicines, dental prosthetics, a free bath if they live in housing without amenities and upon reaching 70 years of age, as well as a food package once a quarter and preferential installation of a water meter, a heating allowance season;
• former Leningrad siege survivors have the right to subsidies for dental prosthetics, the purchase of medicines, the purchase of a coffin and a cross, as well as free food for the poor for two months a year;
• juvenile prisoners of concentration camps receive subsidies for dental prosthetics, the purchase of medicines, treatment and compensation for patient fees in the absence of health insurance and no other income other than a state pension.

Citizens of Latvia who have not reached retirement age under Latvian law, but receive pensions from other states, are entitled to a tax-free minimum of 75 €. The rest of the pension is subject to income tax at a rate of 23%. The exception is countries with which double taxation avoidance agreements have been concluded, in particular the Russian Federation. However, to do this, the relevant confirmation from the State Revenue Service (SRS) about the tax exemption must be sent to the State Insurance Agency in a timely manner. If this did not happen and the tax was withheld, income tax is refunded to pensioners in Riga after sending a declaration of annual income to the State Revenue Service.

Riga

• Citizens who have reached 100 years of age receive a one-time payment of 150 euros.
• Pensioners with disabilities are provided with housing assistance - 2134 euros.
• Low-income citizens who have reached retirement age are paid an additional 128 conventional monetary units.
• Pensioners are also entitled to an additional amount of 71 euros to pay for medical expenses.

After 1 year of living in the city, you can apply for one or another benefit.

Dauvgalpis

In this city, pensioners are provided with free travel on buses, trolleybuses and trams.

Provided benefits for pensioners

Additional benefits are provided to certain categories of senior residents. Benefits for pensioners in Latvia are provided in the following cases:

• persons who live to be 100 years old receive a one-time benefit of 150 €;
• many pensioners are entitled to free travel;
• those receiving less than 128 € are entitled to a subsidy for treatment and the purchase of medicines;
• disabled people of retirement age are paid 2134 € for the construction and improvement of housing;
• various minor benefits are provided to single pensioners, for example, 2 tickets per month to visit the bathhouse;
• victims of political repression are provided with benefits for false teeth and other insignificant privileges;
• the elderly are entitled to funeral benefits;
• Citizens of the republic who receive pensions in other countries, but are not pensioners in Latvia, have the right not to pay taxes on 75 € of monthly income.

Some benefits are only valid in certain cities. But most subsidies are national.

National benefits

1. Politically repressed pensioners have the right to:
   benefits for visiting the bathhouse (2-3 times a month);
2. purchasing medicines;
3. the purchase of a coffin and a cross are also included in the number of benefits;
4. travel on public transport.
5. Citizens who have reached retirement age and are registered with the TsSP receive the following benefits:
   purchasing medicines;
6. dental prosthetics;
7. free bathhouse (if the citizen does not have amenities at his place of residence and has reached seventy years of age);
8. package with a minimum set of products once every six months.
9. Pensioners who survived the siege of Leningrad have the right to receive benefits for the following positions:
   dental prosthetics;
10. medicines;
11. coffin and cross.
12. Pensioners who ended up in a concentration camp at a young age have benefits for:
    dentures;
13. purchase of medicines;
14. reimbursement of fees (meaning patient fees) in public clinics and hospitals.

Despite all its subtleties, as in any other European country, the level of pension payments in Latvia is quite high.

The average pension amount is generally slightly higher than the average salary in the country, and the minimum slightly exceeds the required living capital.

Over the past few years, the pension of ordinary citizens of the Republic of Latvia has increased by 50-60 euros and despite the increase in the retirement age soon, the standard of living and benefits are working to improve the situation of every pensioner.

Additional benefits for Latvian pensioners

For the elderly, various benefits are established here, which depend on various factors. Thus, residents of Riga over the age of 100 receive a one-time payment of 150 euros. All pensioners have the right to use public transport free of charge. If the pension is less than 128 euros, additional subsidies are provided.

In Latvia, tax-free income is set at 235 euros. The income tax here is set at 23%. This measure becomes a help to pensioners with low payments. If a pensioner is single, he receives serious assistance from the municipality.

Calculation of pensions and structure of the pension system

In order to understand how to correctly calculate a pension in the Republic of Latvia, you must first learn about the pension system of this state itself.

The Latvian pension system consists of 3 levels. The first 2 levels are a state system that provides pensions to all people over 62 years of age with 15 years of work experience. The pension is paid based on previously deducted social monthly payments. Social tax in 2021 is 34%, but most of the tax contribution is paid directly by the employer. Only 10.5% of the monthly salary is withheld from a person’s salary.

Pension system levels

• The first level represents the payment of pensions from the total funds contributed by the working population of Latvia.
• The second level is a pension that the state accumulates specifically for a specific pensioner.
  This should not be confused with voluntary pension insurance. All residents of the Republic of Latvia who were born after July 1, 1971 fall under the 2nd pension pillar. Pension system of Latvia
• The third level is the voluntary accumulation of funds. In other words, a person, while still of working age, can contribute a certain amount to the pension fund (separate from the mandatory insurance contribution), which will be returned to him upon retirement as an addition to the basic pension payments.

In order to calculate the estimated old-age pension, you should use the calculator on this portal yourself https://www.manapensija.lv/ru/. To calculate, you will need to know the pension capital.

Table: pension amount depending on length of service

Where to get information about pension capital:

1. Initially, a person needs to go to the portal https://www.latvija.lv/ and open the section called “Informācija par prognozējamo vecuma pensijas apmēru (information about the predicted old-age pension.” The
   Latvian public services portal can also be viewed in Russian
2. Then you should go to the “pension capital” section and open the “together” tab. To the amount that appears on the screen, you must add the pension capital for your work experience before 1996, which can be found in the “starting pension capital” section. To display the data, you will need to enter the person's personal information.
3. The system then adds these two values. The resulting amount is entered into the calculator.

Work and salary in Latvia

Latvian youth, like representatives of other Eastern European countries, prefer to go to more successful EU countries after graduation. This is a big problem for the Latvian economy, where, due to a shortage of its own personnel, the following vacancies are required for foreigners - programmers, international drivers, engineers, social workers, doctors and builders.

The average salary in the Republic of Latvia is about 780 €, and after taxes it is about 650 €. Moreover, men's earnings are 17% more than women's. According to statistics, this is not enough to cover monthly expenses, due to which 46% of the population constantly experience financial difficulties. The fact that more than 50,000 Latvians need social assistance means that the level of wages in the country is not high enough.

In terms of wages, the Baltic state ranks last in the EU. Lower salaries are received in Bulgaria and Romania. According to official data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2021 the average salary in Latvia before taxes is 985 € per month, while Latvians working in Riga receive about 1,120 €.

How are pensions calculated?

The source of pension payments is payments made every month during the citizen’s working life. The fee charged for these purposes is 35%, but most contributions are payable directly by the employer. Only 10.5% of his monthly salary is withheld from the employee's salary.

To find out what pension an individual citizen is entitled to in Latvia, you need to apply the following formula:

RP = SPK/PKL:12, where

RP – monthly pension amount;

SPK is the amount of pension capital. What part of these indicators is taken into account will be discussed below;

PKL – the planned number of years of pension payment.

The funded capital is added to the SPK. And the value of the desired parameter is a value derived from a number of conditions.

To clarify the above formula, it should be said that, in particular, the old-age pension depends on:

• the volume of pension capital accumulated from 01/01/1996 to the month from which the benefit will be paid;
• average insurance premiums for the period from 1996 to 1999;
• total insurance period until December 31, 1995;
• planned time interval for pension payment.

On September 27, 2021, the Seimas of the Republic of Latvia adopted in the final reading important amendments to the law on social benefits for the elderly. They provide that not only the pension itself is subject to indexation, but also additional payments for length of service.

Those persons whose value of the latter indicator is greater are provided with preferences. They are as follows: the indexation of pensions in Latvia in 2021 for citizens with a work experience of 45 years or more will be carried out using 80% of the actual percentage increase in salaries, on the basis of which social insurance contributions are determined. Let us recall that until now the figure of 70% appeared in the calculations.

Also on this day, the Seimas adopted in its final reading amendments to the law regulating the collection of personal income tax. Their action is also aimed at improving the well-being of older people.

In particular, taxes on pensions in Latvia will be charged only if its monthly value exceeds:

• in 2021 – 270 euros;
• in 2021 – 300 euros;
• starting from 2021 – 330 euros.

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia has published forecasts for the state of the country's economy after increasing the tax-free minimum for pensioners to 3,960 euros/year: this will lead to a negative fiscal effect on the budget of 11.8 million euros. And this phenomenon is not the only one that can cause a decrease in trust in the government on the part of people receiving government benefits.

Thus, disability pensions are now paid in Latvia to almost 35 thousand people with disabilities. They are provided with additional payments for length of service of an average of 12.34 euros/month.

Experts have calculated that the income of citizens in this category, with the indexation of surcharges in 2021, will increase before paying income tax by an average of 2.32 euros/month. Naturally, such a slight increase does not arouse enthusiasm among disabled people.

The amount of pensions in Latvia for persons in this category is shown in the table.

Pension and retirement age in Latvia in 2021, 2021: average, system

Latvia is one of the Baltic republics in northern Europe. According to the Law “On State Pensions,” people aged 63 years and 9 months with 15 years or more of experience can count on benefits in 2021. The average pension in Latvia is quite low for EU countries - €320 or 21.8 thousand rubles, despite its annual indexation (in 2019 - the highest in recent years).

Riga, Latvia

Tax rates in 2021

The pension contribution is 30.13%, of which 9.45% is paid by the employee, and 20.68% is paid by his employer. The tax-free minimum in Latvia is 230 €. Tax rates for 2021:

• Tax on real estate - 1.5%.
• VAT - 21%.
• Corporate income tax is 20%.
• Reduced rates - from 0 to 12.5%.
• Income tax - 20% (provided that the employee's annual income does not exceed 20,000 €).

National social insurance - 35.09%, of which 11% is paid by the employee, and 24.09% by the employer. Tax benefit for 1 dependent – ​​230 €.

Forecast for the future

The Latvian government plans to index pensions, which do not exceed 349 euros. The authorities intend to index pensions with a coefficient of 1.0439, which means that pension payments are expected to increase in the range from 3 to 15 euros.

Pension indexation plan in Latvia

In addition, it is planned to raise the retirement age to 65 years by 2025 and increase the mandatory length of service to 20 years. The government assures that this is the only way out of the current situation. The thing is that the number of retired people is already increasing, while there are fewer and fewer children under 14 years of age in the country.

This means that in the near future the country faces a state budget deficit due to the fact that the money provided by the working population will not be enough to pay pensions.

Experts assure that the young generation of Latvia is rapidly emigrating to other countries of the European Union in order to earn money, but most of them remain in these countries for permanent residence due to a higher standard of living and wages.

Payments for disabled people in the Republic of Latvia

The state takes special care of vulnerable segments of the population. A disability pension is provided depending on the group received and some other factors:

• 1 group - 102.45 euros;
• Group 2 - 89.64 euros;
• Group 3 - 64.03 euros.

Thus, it becomes clear at what age people retire in Latvia. It is important to work the required number of years and make regular contributions in order to receive good security in old age.

Amount of social benefit

Moving on to this issue, you need to understand that the amount of payments varies depending on your length of service , the category of the population to which you belong and your field of activity.

Thus, there are three categories of citizens to whom pensions are paid under special conditions.

By disability

You should immediately understand that only the insured person has the right to receive payment and under special conditions :

• The disability must be legally recognized. If it is not a disease at the enterprise, work or accident, it is still there (law of January 1, 1997).
• If you do not have a pension upon reaching retirement age from another state (exception is an international treaty or Regulation No. 883/2004).
• If you live on the territory of the Republic of Latvia.
• You have 3 years of insurance experience.

If you are entitled to several different types of pensions, then you have the opportunity to receive only one, of your choice.

Further, the pension is calculated according to disability groups:

• Group 1 – the minimum payment for this group is equal to the amount of the monthly social benefit. security, namely 102.45 euros (if you have been disabled since childhood, then 170.75 euros).
• Group 2 - the pension for this disability group is 89.64 euros (for people disabled since childhood - 149.41 euros). This is also the minimum payment amount.
• Group 3 - disabled people of the third group are assigned an amount of 64.03 euros (disabled people from childhood - 106.72 euros).

Military pension payments

Almost every country has preserved those people who participated in military conflicts defending their homeland. In some cases, citizens who took part in the Second World War are treated as ordinary workers. There is no information as such .

In order not to be unfounded, one should equate a military pension to a standard one:

• The average pension is 250 euros (17,500 rubles).
• The maximum pension is 800 lats (52,500 rubles).

Providing for Russians living in the country

There are two current provisions regulating issues of pension accruals for Russian citizens living in the territory of the Republic of Latvia:

• Agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation of December 18, 2007.
• Agreement between the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Development of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia on the application of the agreement mentioned above.

Thus, pensions for Russian citizens in Latvia are calculated in accordance with the laws of the territory of the state in which the citizen lives. What is the pension for Russians in rubles? That is, the pension will be standard, namely, depending directly on work experience, age and other conditions:

• average , standard pension – 17,500 rubles;
• maximum – 52 500;
• minimum – 11,962 rubles).

Pensions of Russians in Latvia

Residents of the Russian Federation who live on the territory of the Republic of Latvia may qualify for accrual of pension payments under the following conditions:

1. Experience – 15 years.
2. Age – 62 years.

You can submit an application for a Latvian pension electronically

To apply for an old-age pension, you must visit the SSIA (Social and State Insurance Agency) and present a package of papers consisting of:

1. Applicant's passports.
2. A statement indicating that the applicant wishes to extend the payment of the pension.
3. Bank account numbers. It is very important that the account is opened in a Latvian bank.
4. Information regarding the new place of residence (address and contact telephone number).

Agreement between Russia and Latvia on pensions

In 2011, an agreement between Russia and Latvia in the field of pensions came into force, covering old age, disability, and survivor benefits. The period of service is divided into two: before 1991 and after. Persons residing in Lithuania can apply for a pension on the basis of current legislation. If the existing experience is sufficient, then it is assigned according to the conditions of the country of residence. Otherwise, according to the agreement, the period up to 1991 is taken into account, which must be confirmed by the Russian Federation.

You can apply for a pension in the Russian Federation. Similarly, if necessary, the period of work until 1991 in Lithuania is added.

The calculation is carried out only for Russian work experience.

The benefit is established once and is not revised again. Lithuanian citizens living in the Russian Federation can receive a pension from their state.

When changing your residence, you must notify the Pension Fund of your country and indicate a new address in order to receive the assigned benefit to your bank account. Payments are made once a quarter.

Peculiarities of registration of a Russian pension in Latvia

The Russian pension in Latvia is paid to persons living in the territory of the Baltic country if:

• they have reached the retirement age established in the Russian Federation;
• they have the right to a pension for: loss of a breadwinner;
• length of service;
• obtaining a disability group.

In this case, insurance premiums paid on the territory of Russia are taken into account.

Disability pension

The amount of the disability pension is presented in the table.

Unemployment benefit

Table: unemployment benefit amount

How is the Russian pension paid?

To resolve the issue of assigning a pension benefit for periods of employment after 01/01/1991, you must contact the department of the State Social Insurance Agency of Latvia (hereinafter referred to as SSIA). You will need to provide the following documents:

• application for a pension;
• papers confirming work activity and equivalent time of stay on the territory of both states - Russia and Latvia;
• package of documentation corresponding to the intended type of pension.

The State Insurance Agency sends the received documents to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation. There a decision is made regarding the assignment of a pension to a person living in Latvia.

The length of work experience in Russia may not be enough to receive pension payments. Then the period of official work in Latvia is also taken into account. But pension calculations are based only on Russian work experience.

The pension is paid through the State Social Insurance Agency once a quarter. They receive funds from one of the banks of the Republic of Latvia or at the post office. In the first case, the account number of the credit institution is indicated, which can be found out from the agreement concluded with the bank.

Agreement between Russia and Latvia on pensions

The agreement was signed in 2011. It ensures the implementation of pensions in Latvia for Russian citizens, financial assistance for disability and loss of a breadwinner. Work experience is divided into two periods: accumulated before 1991 and after. In accordance with current legislation, Russian citizens living in the Republic of Latvia have the right to cash payments. If you have sufficient experience, it will be calculated according to Latvian conditions. Otherwise, the period before 1991 will be taken into account and confirmation from Russia will be required.

It will be possible to ask for help in the same way in Russia. Then they can take into account the period of work before 1991 in Latvia. The payment is calculated once and is not subject to indexation. Latvian citizens can receive a pension from their country.

Disability pension

How much a person will receive depends on their length of service. A person with 15-20 years of experience will receive a minimum of 88 euros, and in case of disability - 135 euros. Work experience from 21 to 30 years guarantees a minimum pension in 2021 in Latvia in the amount of 104 euros, for a disabled person - 160. With 31-40 years of experience they receive 120 euros, disabled people - 184. With work experience of more than 41 years, banks will pay 136 euros, and for a disabled person – 209.

Unemployment benefit

Unemployment benefits are calculated as a percentage of the average official salary. With up to 9 years of experience, a person will receive 50% of his average earnings, for 10-19 years - 55%, for 20-29 years - 60%, from 30 years - 65%.

Higher and higher

Starting this year, the retirement age in Latvia has been increased for another three months. Now people who have reached the age of 63 years and 9 months have the right to retire if their insurance experience is at least 15 years.

People whose insurance experience is at least 30 years can retire early - two years earlier than the general retirement age. This year, people who have reached the age of 61 years and nine months will be eligible for early retirement.

Let us remind you that since 2014, the retirement age in Latvia began to be increased annually by three months, until in 2025 it reaches 65 years.

Symbolic growth

Since the new year, minimum pensions have been increased in Latvia. The minimum pension will no longer be tied to the state social security benefit (64.03 euros, and 106.72 euros for those with disabilities since childhood). Now the minimum pension will be calculated based on the calculation base approved by the government. It is planned that this base will be 80 euros, and for persons with disabilities since childhood - 122.69 euros.

The increase in the minimum old-age pension will affect 20.5 thousand people, and it is planned that the assigned pension for them will increase by an average of seven euros.