Vladimir Putin took part in a meeting on economic issues. The main thing

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on economic issues on December 11. Issues of financial support for families were raised at the event, and it became known that starting in 2026, family payments will be introduced in Russia. The main thing from the speech of the head of state is in the material of Izvestia.

On pension indexation from January 1

Starting from January 1, 2026, insurance pensions in Russia will be indexed by 7.6%, higher than the inflation expected by the end of this year, the Russian president said.

"It is important to continue to work systematically to increase the incomes of pensioners. As outlined in the May 2024 decree, pensions should grow at a rate not lower than inflation," Putin said at a meeting on economic issues.

About the salary level of state employees

The level of salaries in budgetary areas directly affects the improvement of work efficiency, the head of state noted.

"The level of wages earned, for example, in healthcare, education, science, culture, and other budgetary areas directly affects the improvement of the efficiency of these industries, and ultimately the achievement of national development goals," Putin said during the meeting.

Attention to the growth of citizens' incomes

The growth of Russians' incomes is the most important priority for the authorities, the Russian president said.

"We will discuss issues related to increasing salaries of public sector workers, increasing pensions and further reducing poverty, and increasing incomes of citizens — all of these are the most important priorities of the state. They reflect the social orientation of the work of the authorities, the government, both at the federal and regional levels, and at the local level, too, of course," Putin said.

The Head of State noted that the increase in salaries in the public sector and other sectors stimulates domestic demand, the development of own industries and services, and also has a positive impact on economic dynamics in general.

"Such growth, structural changes in employment, and the formation of a high—wage economy are the basic conditions for reducing poverty and inequality in society, and for improving the well-being of Russian families," Putin said during a meeting on economic issues.

On family tax payment starting in 2026

In 2026, a family payment will be introduced, it will be introduced in addition to the existing support mechanisms, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Families with two or more children also have the right to receive other payments and benefits. I hope that the new tool will be in demand and will help make our social support system even more targeted, efficient and fair," the head of state stressed, adding that the procedure for receiving family tax payments in the Russian Federation should be as simple and unencumbered as possible.

On reducing poverty

The poverty rate in Russia should be below 5% by 2036, Putin said. The President of the Russian Federation asked the economic bloc to analyze the work on combating poverty.

"The poverty rate in Russia is at record lows. We all remember that in 2000, 42 million people, or 29% of citizens, had incomes below the subsistence level, while last year it was 7.2%, or just over 10 million people. The positive dynamics have been maintained this year," the president said.

When assessing the level of poverty, it is important to see an objective complete picture of the financial situation of a person and his family, and to use other comprehensive approaches besides taking into account the amount of income, the president stressed.

"I ask my colleagues to keep this in mind and analyze the work on combating poverty accordingly, and improve the system of support for citizens," Putin said.

About the Social Fund database

The Social Fund of the Russian Federation has a reliable revenue base, the president said.

"Now the SFR has a reliable income base due to growing nominal and, most importantly, real wages in the economy," Putin said.

According to him, the state should guarantee the pension provision of citizens in full.

It should be recalled that the issue of remuneration for budget employees is regularly raised in Russia. Earlier this week, the State Duma proposed paying 13 salaries annually to medical and teaching staff of state and municipal institutions. The measure is aimed at strengthening human resources in the fields of education and healthcare, increasing the prestige of these professions and improving the social security of employees.

In general, the wage gap between rich and poor in Russia is decreasing. This difference, as Izvestia learned earlier, has decreased to 12.7 times, which is the lowest since 2000, when the gap was almost 30 times. This situation is explained by the fact that the incomes of low-paid workers are growing faster, including due to an increase in the minimum wage.

In addition, the poverty rate has almost tripled over the past three decades. According to analysts from the RANEPA, over the past 10 years, the indicator has decreased by more than one and a half times — from 13.3% to 7%.