KRG Announces Delayed Pension Distributions
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has confirmed that pensions for the month will not be disbursed as previously scheduled. This announcement follows a ruling from the Iraqi Federal Court on November 22, 2022, which mandated the KRG to implement the unified pension law No. 9 from 2014. However, compliance with this ruling has been postponed until the salaries are allocated in July 2024.
A source from the KRG’s Ministry of Finance disclosed, "The pension payments for KRG retirees will not be disbursed this month."
Changes to Pension Structure
According to the new Iraqi legislation, adjustments will be made to the pensions of individuals who retired prior to 2014. For those with a monthly pension ranging from 200,000 to 499,000 dinars, the amount will be increased to 500,000 dinars, with an additional support bonus of 100,000 dinars, bringing the total to 600,000 dinars. Those receiving between 600,000 and 999,000 dinars will also benefit from an additional support payment of 100,000 dinars.
Currently, the Kurdistan Region is home to approximately 160,000 civilian pensioners and 70,000 military pensioners.
As of July 21, 2024, the KRG’s Ministry of Finance indicated that the salary lists for pensioners had been forwarded to Baghdad in accordance with the unified pension law.
This delay in pension distributions raises concerns among retirees in the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing the need for clarity and timely implementation of pension reforms to support the financial well-being of this demographic.