You're reading: Tigipko promises to raise pensions to military men, solve housing problem

Sevastopol – Vice Prime Minister Sergiy Tigipko at a meeting with military retirees and the military garrison men in Sevastopol has announced the increase in pensions in 2013 and the final decision on providing servicemen with housing in the shortest possible term. 

“We by January 1, 2013 will raise pensions to military men to the level, which military retirees will receive in 2013,” Tigipko said.

According to the vice premier, the share of awards will be reduced to increase pensions and wages of military men, but the basic figure of wages will grow.

“The wages will rise, but awards will be very small. I dealt with this issue and I think that it is right. We should not make a very large component of bonuses, as it gives too much power to the commander. Therefore bonuses will account for about 5-6% from 2013,” he said.

According to him, the average pension will significantly grow for many people, but its size will depend on the length of service and the rank.

Tigipko also told about state programs aimed at solving the issues of providing military men with housing. According to him, he jointly with the Defense Ministry is working in two directions, particularly a possible partial monetization of this benefit and the creation of a state-owned enterprise, which could efficiently use the property of the armed forces and use the proceeds to construct housing for servicemen.