Kazakhstan to raise some social benefits once every three years

September 17, 2026 at 02:19 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan's government will calculate some social benefits using 2026 monthly calculation index (MCI) and subsistence minimum levels in 2027, while pensions will be indexed by 8.5%. Deputy Labor Minister Viktoria Shegay said the change means those benefits will be raised once every three years instead of annually. The government will redirect funds to family support and career centers to help people increase their own incomes.

Key Facts

In 2027, pensions in Kazakhstan will be indexed by 8.5%.
The monthly calculation index (MCI) is set at 4,325 tenge in 2026 and planned at 4,693 tenge in 2027.
Deputy Labor Minister Viktoria Shegay announced that some social benefits will be raised once every three years.
Deputy Finance Minister Abzal Beisenbekuly said funds will be redirected to Family Support Centers and Career Growth Centers.

Budget Proposal Details

The draft republican budget for 2027–2029 was presented at a meeting of the Finance and Budget Committee of the Kurultai. Deputy Aizhan Skakova noted that for calculating some benefits tied to the MCI and subsistence minimum, last year's indicators will be used. Pensions, however, will be indexed by 8.5% in 2027. The MCI in 2027 is planned at 4,693 tenge, up from 4,325 tenge in 2026.

Government Rationale

Deputy Labor Minister Viktoria Shegay explained that automatic indexation of some benefits does not improve overall well-being or economic independence of recipients. She said the decision was made to re-index these benefits on a different medium-term cycle — once every three years. Shegay emphasized that all obligations for pension and benefit payments in the draft budget are fully met. The government will continue to improve measures to support families in difficult situations and help them out of need.

Fund Redirection

Deputy Finance Minister Abzal Beisenbekuly said the new approach does not mean the state is abandoning social support. He said funds will be redirected to Family Support Centers and Career Growth Centers to stimulate people to increase their own incomes. Beisenbekuly stated that these measures will not lead to a deterioration in household incomes.