Russian Pensions to Rise 7.6% in 2026, Indexing Moved to January
Pensioners in Russia will see a significant increase in their pensions next year. The government has announced that Medicare (old-age insurance) pensions will rise by 7.6% from January 1st, 2026. This is the second consecutive year that pensions are being indexed in January, marking a change from the previous two-stage indexing plan.
The average Medicare pension is set to increase by nearly 2,000 rubles, bringing it to 27,100 rubles. This increase will benefit both retired and working pensioners. In an unusual move, some pensioners may even receive their indexed January 2026 pension by the end of December 2025.
The decision to move the indexing date to January was made by the relevant government authorities. While the specific reasons behind this change are not explicitly stated, it is likely to streamline administrative and budget planning processes by aligning financial adjustments with the start of the calendar year.
In summary, Russian pensioners can expect a 7.6% increase in their Medicare pensions starting January 1st, 2026. This increase, along with the shift in indexing date, will have a positive impact on their financial situation. The average pension will rise to 27,100 rubles, with both retired and working pensioners benefiting from this change.
