Pension Rights Remain Protected Even If You Live Abroad

Uzbekistan continues to implement comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening social protection and further improving the pension system. As part of these reforms, effective from 2024, the period for claiming pension benefits that have been duly assigned and accrued but remained uncollected for various reasons has been extended from 12 months to 24 months.

This amendment is designed to provide stronger protection of pensioners’ lawful rights and interests while further reinforcing the principles of fairness and social responsibility within the national pension system.

International Practice

The payment of previously unclaimed pension benefits is also a common practice in many countries.

• United Kingdom and Ireland – Pension benefits may be claimed retrospectively (backdated), with the backdating period generally limited to 12 months (52 weeks).
• Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Azerbaijan – Legal provisions are also in place allowing previously unclaimed pension benefits to be paid at a later date, subject to the applicable national regulations.

The new provision will strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights and legitimate interests in the field of pension provision, enhance the accountability of public authorities, and improve the overall effectiveness of the social protection system.

Ministry of Economy and Finance

PR and Communications Department