On April 27, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. In Belarus, labour pensions will increase by an average of 18.2% from May this year. Minimum labour and social pensions, supplements, increases to pensions, as well as additional payments to pensions of non-working pensioners aged 75 and over will be raised. This was reported to BELTA correspondent by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Marianna Shchetkina. She noted that based on Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 35 of January 16, 2012 "On Pension Increases", recalculation of labour pensions will be carried out from May 1 this year based on the average wage of employees in the republic for the first quarter of this year. According to the National Statistical Committee, it amounted to Br3 million 6 thousand 88. This is 18.2% higher than the indicator used for recalculating labour pensions in February of this year. "As a result, labour pensions, for which the BPM is not applied in calculating the amount, will increase by 18.2%," the minister stated. According to her, in May, minimum labour and social pensions, supplements, increases to pensions, and additional payments to older persons will also be recalculated due to the growth of the subsistence minimum budget per capita. The BPM in March 2012 prices is approved by the government at Br743 thousand 20, which is 5.1% higher than the standard in effect from February 1 to April 30, 2012. Accordingly, social pensions, supplements, and increases will increase by 5.1%. Taking into account the new BPM value, the amounts of additional payments to pensions of non-working pensioners from May will be Br139.3 thousand for people who have reached the age of 75, and Br185.8 thousand for those who have reached the age of 80. Overall, the average old-age pension is estimated to increase by 16.9% and will amount to Br1 million 467.5 thousand. "The pension amount for a specific person will depend on the individual parameters used to calculate their pension - work experience, individual coefficient, which is indicated in the pension certificate," the minister emphasized. The maximum old-age pension for non-working pensioners will be Br2 million 220 thousand 750 from May this year. Financing of expenses for pension increases will be made from the funds of the Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Additional expenses for these purposes in May this year will amount to Br522 billion. The necessary funds are available in the fund, Marianna Shchetkina assured. -0-

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