Armenia to raise pensions by 10,000 drams for most retirees, minister says

Armenia will increase pensions for nearly all of its 667,000 retirees by 10,000 drams per month, with some receiving larger increases, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan said on Thursday.

Speaking at a government briefing, Torosyan said most pensioners would see their payments rise by 10,000 drams, while some – mainly military retirees – would receive increases of up to 15,000 drams. A smaller group will see rises of 7,000 to 8,000 drams, he added.

The measure will require around 80 billion drams this year, funds that will be reallocated to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs from other budget lines, Torosyan said, adding that the government has secured the necessary resources.

Responding to criticism over remarks about how pensioners would spend the increase, Torosyan rejected what he called “manipulated” interpretations of government statements.

He said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other officials had noted that a significant share of pensioners' spending goes toward healthcare, including medicines and medical services.

Torosyan said the government places high importance on covering those costs and has expanded insurance coverage for citizens aged 65 and older, paying 10,800 drams per month on their behalf. He said portraying those comments as dismissive of pensioners was “at least not honest”.