As part of a new project, it is proposed to change the current procedure and establish fixed amounts for funeral benefits. Currently, benefits are calculated based on the average monthly salary of 2010, which has raised some concerns.
The current benefit amounts depend on the category of the deceased: 100% (7189 soms) — in the case of the death of a working person; 50% (595 soms) — for entrepreneurs, heads of peasant farms, officially unemployed individuals, dependents of working individuals, or recipients of social benefits; 20% (1438 soms) — for other family members who are dependents of the aforementioned categories.
The Ministry of Labor notes that more than ten years have passed since the introduction of these benefits, and the amounts have not been indexed. This has resulted in them not meeting the minimum subsistence level, which is projected to be 9738.29 soms in 2025, as well as the actual costs of funerals. The average monthly salary has increased from 7189 soms in 2010 to 42,919 soms in 2025, and the consumer price index has risen approximately 2.65 times.
As part of the new project, it is proposed to:
— repeal resolution No. 192;
— exclude the "average monthly salary of 2010" as a calculation indicator;
— establish fixed benefit amounts based on a calculation indicator (100 soms):
- 120 calculation indicators (12,000 soms) — in the case of the death of a working person;
- 80 calculation indicators (8,000 soms) — for the death of an entrepreneur, head of a peasant farm, officially unemployed individual, or dependent of a working person;
- 50 calculation indicators (5,000 soms) — for the death of other family members who are dependents of the listed categories.
According to the Ministry of Labor, taking into account annual mortality statistics, the total budget costs for the new benefits will amount to 26.5 million soms, with an additional need of about 14.7 million soms per year.
It is proposed that the new benefit amounts come into effect on January 1, 2028, which will allow for budget stability and advance planning of expenses.
The project also includes updating the regulations concerning the procedure for granting benefits for temporary disability, pregnancy, and childbirth, which will ensure uniformity in law enforcement and eliminate contradictions, the Ministry indicates.
The statement from the Ministry of Labor of Kyrgyzstan proposing to establish fixed amounts for burial benefits first appeared on the K-News website.
