Increased student benefits set to cover a living wage
In a significant move, the Federation Council of Russia has approved a law that increases maternity and childbirth allowances for full-time students and postgraduates. This new policy, set to take effect starting September 1, 2025, will see the allowance amount calculated based on the regional minimum wage, not scholarships.
Under the new support measures, students and postgraduates can expect to receive a substantial boost in their allowances, with the average benefit estimated to be around 90,000 rubles ($1,150) for the entire period of maternity leave. However, the actual amount can vary significantly across different regions, ranging from approximately 74,000 rubles ($945) in regions like Lipetsk and Tambov, to as much as 235,000 rubles ($3,000) in the Chukotka Autonomous District.
This new policy does not address any changes to allowances for full-time workers or postgraduates outside of the maternity and childbirth allowances. Similarly, the law does not specify any changes to allowances for Heroine Mothers outside of the top-up of 32,000 rubles ($400) upon retirement.
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In a separate development, the Federation Council has also approved a law increasing allowances for Heroine Mothers upon retirement. This new allowance will be an additional 32,000 rubles ($400) upon retirement for these mothers.
It's worth noting that previously, payments for maternity and childbirth allowances for full-time students and postgraduates ranged from 9,300 to 23,300 rubles. The new law marks a significant increase in support for these individuals during their maternity and childbirth periods.
[1] Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-student-mother-allowance-to-be-based-on-regional-minimum-wage/31578516.html [2] Source: https://www.gazeta.ru/news/2021/05/26/17027904.shtml
Personal-finance students and postgraduates studying in Russia now stand to gain from the recently approved law increasing maternity and childbirth allowances. Educational self-development and financial planning could be crucial for these students and postgraduates, as they prepare to navigate potential variations in allowance amounts across different regions.
