Turkmen Pensioners Decry Government’s Refusal to Index Payments

Pension and social benefit levels remain frozen, despite the ongoing increase in living costs

The Turkmen government’s decision to forgo its customary annual increase in pensions and benefits in 2026 has sparked sharp discontent among elderly citizens. Pensioners, arriving to have their documents updated for the year, have discovered that payment amounts remain unchanged and many are not hiding their anger. 

Since January 2, retirees have been visiting social security offices where pension amounts are officially recorded in their books. In previous years, this annual procedure was typically accompanied by an indexation of around 10%, helping to offset inflation and rising prices.

That practice has been discontinued. Pension and social benefit levels remain frozen, despite the ongoing increase in living costs.

The decision not to index pensions was announced in autumn 2025 during a parliamentary session, where honorary elder Yazmyrat ATAMYRADOV proposed a complete halt to increases in salaries, pensions, state benefits, and scholarships. He claimed the “happy people” of Turkmenistan already enjoy a steadily improving standard of living, making additional financial support unnecessary.

The response from the public has been stark. Pensioners are openly criticizing the government and President Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV, not only in social services offices but also in markets, on public transport, and in other public places.

Many older citizens recall a similarly severe decision under the country’s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, when pensions were abolished entirely. Witnesses from that time report that some elderly individuals, left without support, were pushed to the brink of survival.

The current cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated the backlash. Over the past year, food prices have surged. Beef has risen from $17.40-$20.30 to $31.90-$33.40 per kilogram, and local apples have jumped from $4.35 to $7.69 per kilogram.

As of January 1, 2025, the minimum pension in Turkmenistan was set at $159.50. That figure remains unchanged in 2026, despite the deepening economic pressures faced by retirees.

By The: The Times Of Central Asia.

Image: hronikatm.

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