Mongolian and Kazakh Citizens Can Now Combine Their Work Periods in Both Countries to Qualify for an Old-Age Pension

The citizens of Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan will now be able to combine the years they have worked in both countries to qualify for an old-age pension.

The State Great Khural of Mongolia was discussed and ratified the Agreement on Cooperation in Pension Matters between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan during its plenary session. A joint expert working group from both countries developed this agreement, holding 18 rounds of negotiations since 2018 before finalizing it.

Once the law is approved and the agreement enters into force:

·    Citizens who have relocated to either country will be able to combine the periods they worked and paid social insurance contributions in Mongolia and Kazakhstan before 1998 to qualify for a pension under the relevant laws of both countries.

·       Mongolian citizens who have paid contributions to Kazakhstan’s accumulative pension fund since 1998 will become eligible to receive pension benefits from Kazakhstan’s accumulative pension fund, ensuring stronger long-term social protection for these individuals.

According to official data, as of 2023, 8,036 Mongolian citizens reside in Kazakhstan, of which 3,115 are formally employed, while 564 Kazakh citizens currently reside in Mongolia.

No amendments to other laws are required for the implementation of this agreement. Since pensions will be granted in accordance with each country's legal framework, no additional financial burden will be placed on Mongolia’s Social Insurance Fund.

To protect the social security rights of migrant workers and their families, Mongolia has been actively establishing social security agreements with countries where Mongolian citizens live and work in large numbers. In addition to the newly ratified agreement with Kazakhstan, Mongolia currently has similar agreements with six other countries, and is working to conclude agreements with the Republic of Austria and Australia, as well as to update its existing agreement with the Russian Federation.