The economist appreciated the initiative to fully reimburse single pensioners for housing and communal services

The initiative to fully reimburse housing and communal services for single pensioners over the age of 80 and compensation in the amount of 50% from the age of 65 will require significant budgetary resources. Elena Marchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Savings Bank JSC, told Izvestia on February 27.

"The proposal to compensate housing and communal services by age criterion reflects the real problem of the high share of utility bills in the expenses of senior citizens. However, if the measure is extended to all pensioners who fit the age parameters, without taking into account income, the annual burden on the federal budget may amount to about 600-700 billion rubles," the expert noted.

According to her, the current system of subsidies and benefits already provides support to citizens whose housing and communal services costs exceed the established share of income, but it is primarily focused on income level, not age. The introduction of universal age compensation will require the search for sustainable sources of financing. Among the possible options, the economist mentioned the redistribution of funds within the social block, an increase in federal subsidies or an adjustment to other support programs. At the same time, every decision is associated with political and economic costs.

An additional burden may fall on regional budgets, as many housing and communal services payments are administered locally. In regions with a high proportion of the elderly population and a limited tax base, the cost of new benefits may increase significantly. Partial cost coverage is possible through inter-budget transfers, however, in conditions of restrained growth in budget revenues and high competition for resources, this increases the risk of shortages.

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Marchuk stressed that with an outstripping increase in utility tariffs, there may be overspending on pension support, especially if the targeting mechanisms turn out to be insufficiently developed. In this regard, the balance between the social effectiveness of the initiative and fiscal sustainability becomes important.

The expert also noted that in addition to direct compensation for housing and communal services, it is advisable to develop social service programs at home, expand access to preferential medical care and consider measures to reduce the tariff burden for socially vulnerable categories of citizens. In her opinion, the long-term effect of the initiative will depend on the quality of implementation, sufficient funding and coordination between the federal center and the regions so that increased social support does not lead to systemic budget imbalances.

Izvestia found out on February 26 that single pensioners in Russia were offered full compensation for housing and communal services payments if they reached the age of 80. If they are 65 years old, they want to be exempt from 50% of the cost of services. Sergei Mironov, leader of the Fair Russia Party, and Yana Lantratova, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Civil Society Development, Public and Religious Associations, addressed such a proposal to Irek Fayzullin, head of the Ministry of Construction.

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