Since February, Russia has not paid pensions to approximately 4,000 Russian pensioners living in Estonia. Last week, transfers were made only to seven World War II veterans. The Ministry of Social Affairs announced that the amount of unpaid pensions is about 680,000 euros.
Russia has not yet explained why they have not transferred the pension money. On April 10, 7,000 euros were received into the account of the Social Insurance Board. This money was a quarterly pension for seven people who, according to Russia, are World War II veterans.
Social Minister Karmen Joller said that transfers are possible. She finds it incomprehensible why Russia does not pay pensions to all its pensioners. Russia has paid only veterans, others have been waiting for money since February.
According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Russia pays pensions to about 4,000 people. Most of them are of retirement age. 262 people receive only a Russian pension. Others receive both Estonian and Russian pensions. Most of them also work in Estonia and are entitled to an Estonian pension. Estonia has paid them their pensions on time. The size of Russian pensions ranges from 14.87 euros to 2800 euros.
Estonia fulfills its obligations under the social security agreement concluded with Russia. Estonia pays pensions to nearly 5,400 pensioners living in Russia who have earned their pensions in Estonia. According to the social security agreement, transfers from Russia should be received quarterly. This time the money has not yet been received.
The Social Insurance Board announced that Russian pensioners living in Estonia can apply for subsistence benefits from the local government if necessary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked the Russian acting chargé d'affaires to explain the reasons for the delay in payments. In addition, the time of making payments was inquired. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Estonia does not create obstacles to the receipt of money into banks.
Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia has delayed the transfer of pension money to pensioners living in Estonia.