How to receive a pension abroad in 2022

Russians living abroad will be able to receive pensions in local banks. Such a resolution was signed on August 25 by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Previously, Russian citizens received payments to Visa or Mastercard cards, or by transfer to an account in a foreign bank. However, due to sanctions, cards issued by Russian banks were no longer serviced abroad. Russians will be able to receive pensions in foreign banks until December 31, 2022.

Russians living abroad will be able to receive pensions in local banks

Russian pensions can be received abroad in local banks until December 31, 2022. The corresponding decree of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin was published on August 25 on the official portal of legal information.

Recall that Russians living abroad are paid:

• insurance pensions;
• state pensions (except for social pensions);
• payments to pensions related to labor activity;
• Additional monthly material support (DEMO) for WWII veterans.

Earlier, the Russian government allowed the transfer of pensions, the payment of which is impossible under the conditions of sanctions, to Russians living abroad in rubles to accounts opened in the Russian Federation.

How to get an “overseas pension”

To receive a pension, Russians living abroad must submit an appropriate application and the necessary documents to any territorial body of the PFR located within Russia. You can apply to the FIU at your choice, regardless of the place of residence or actual residence. You can receive a pension to an account with a credit institution of the Russian Federation (until December 31 abroad in local banks) or through a legal representative.

Registration of a “foreign pension” is possible if a Russian has moved to live abroad both before and after the onset of the right to a pension under Russian law. To do this, you need to provide the following documents:

• an application for the appointment of a pension and for the delivery of a pension;
• a copy of the internal or foreign passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• a copy of the insurance certificate of compulsory pension insurance (SNILS);
• documents on insurance experience;
• salary certificate for any five consecutive years of employment. The document must contain the number and date of issue, last name, first name, patronymic of the person to whom the document is issued, the grounds for issuance, as well as information on the deduction of contributions to the Pension Fund (if the certificate is submitted for the period from 1991 to 2001). The certificate of wages must be signed by the head of the enterprise, the chief accountant and certified with a seal;
• copy of military ID. Provided in case of military service;
• copies of documents on the conclusion or dissolution of marriage, on the change of surname;
• a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Sanctions made adjustments

Previously, Russians received payments either to Visa or Mastercard, or by transfer to an account in a foreign bank. However, due to sanctions, cards issued by Russian banks were no longer serviced abroad. In this regard, many credit organizations also stopped servicing the accounts of Russians, to which the pension was received from Russia.

At the end of April 2022, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a resolution that introduced temporary rules for the payment of pensions under sanctions. According to them, pensions for Russians living abroad will be credited to ruble accounts opened in Russian banks. And since August, a decree has come into force, according to which citizens of the Russian Federation living abroad will be able to temporarily receive pensions in foreign banks.