MIR pension cards

Pensioners can choose how they will receive their pension: in cash at Russian Post branches or to a card. It is more convenient and safer to do this to a bank account. We will tell you why it is better to transfer your pension to a pension card, how to do it, and what you should pay attention to when choosing a bank card.

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Details

Why should pensioners get a debit card?

Since 2020, the crediting of pensions and all social benefits has become possible only to cards of the MIR payment system. Therefore, now pensioners can receive money on a bank card, bank account, or through Russian Post (at the local branch or delivered at home by a postman).
To receive your pension in cash, you need to visit a Russian Post branch every month and stand in a long line. You can also collect your pension through a postman. But if the pensioner is not at home for any reason, they will have to go to the branch to get the payment. And after receiving the money, they will need to worry about its safety — cash is easy to lose or give to scammers.
Receiving a pension on a debit card is more convenient for the following reasons:

1. The pension arrives on the card on the day of transfer from the Pension Fund of Russia without delays. To receive the money, the pensioner does not need to go to the Russian Post branch and stand in line — payments are credited to the card automatically.
2. You can use the money immediately after it is credited.
3. If a person needs cash, they can get it at the nearest ATM. At the same time, they will not have to stand in a long line and pay a fee for cash withdrawal.
4. Usually, pension card maintenance is free. That means the pensioner will not have to pay any fees and subscription charges for using the card.
5. Many cards provide for the accrual of interest on the balance. If a pensioner is saving money for some goal, they can leave funds on the card and receive a small percentage on their savings.
6. You can track the balance and receive information on deposits and debit transactions in a convenient mobile application or via SMS notifications.
7. You can send money to other people also via internet banking or a convenient mobile application. You can do this without commission by phone number through the Faster Payments System.
8. With a pension card, you can conveniently pay for purchases online and arrange for their home delivery. This is especially relevant if, due to health conditions, it is difficult for a pensioner to walk around stores and lift heavy bags of groceries.
9. Many banks have profitable bonus programs. By using the card, a pensioner can receive cashback for purchases in points or real rubles.
10. Receiving money on a bank card is safer. It is impossible to lose funds that are in an account. And they can only be stolen if the person themselves gives confidential information to third parties.

What to look for when choosing a debit card for pensioners?

Many banks offer special debit cards for pensioners. But to choose the right one, you need to decide for what purposes you need it, what operations the pensioner plans to perform most often, what is important to them in plastic maintenance, and so on. Let's talk about the main criteria that are important when choosing a pension card.

Servicing

Usually, pension card maintenance is free. But some banks still set an annual fee for card account maintenance. This means that monthly or annually, the credit organization will automatically debit a certain amount from the card.
In addition to maintenance, banks may charge for additional services. For example, for informing about deposits and debit transactions. Nevertheless, we do not recommend refusing notifications. With SMS-banking, you can find out about the crediting of payments. Also, thanks to this service, you can timely notice the withdrawal of funds from the account, if suddenly the plastic falls into the hands of third parties.

Cash withdrawals at other banks' ATMs

Some pensioners prefer to keep their money in cash. Here we recommend choosing a bank with a developed network of ATMs and branches. Then a person can conveniently withdraw money from the card at the nearest self-service device or cash desk. It will be even more convenient if the card provides for free cash withdrawal at ATMs of other banks.

Transfers to other banks

Almost all banks provide free transfers to clients of other credit institutions via the Faster Payments System for amounts up to 100,000 rubles per month or more. Some cards also allow sending money without commission using bank details.

Bonus program

Now many banks offer profitable bonus programs. But we recommend paying attention to cards that provide cashback for purchases in categories most popular among pensioners. For example, these can be “Pharmacies”, “Supermarkets”, “Utilities”, “Pet Stores”, and so on.

Interest on balance

Pensioners usually do not spend all their money to zero, but save funds for specific goals. If a person wants to receive a small income from their savings, we recommend considering cards with interest on the balance, or at least the option to open a savings account on favorable terms.

Delivery

Due to health conditions, some pensioners may find it difficult to visit a bank branch to get a card. For this reason, we recommend considering banks that offer home delivery for the card. Many credit institutions currently provide this service.

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Answers to frequently asked questions

Finally, let's answer the most frequently asked questions.

Who can transfer pension payments to a bank card?

Any adult citizen of the Russian Federation who is eligible for pension payments can do this: social, old-age, disability, survivor, or length-of-service pensions.
To transfer payments to a card, they need to submit a corresponding application to the Social Fund of Russia, specifying the new method of receiving funds.

What documents are needed to transfer a pension?

The following documents will be required to transfer a pension:

• Russian internal passport;
• A INSURANCE NUMBER (SNILS);
• certificate of registration at the place of residence, if this stamp is not in the passport;
• pension certificate;
• MIR card details.

You can obtain the details at a bank branch or download them from your online account. Also, if the applicant is not the pensioner themselves, a power of attorney or a certificate confirming family ties (in the case of a minor) will be required.

How to transfer a pension to a MIR card?

To transfer pension payments to a bank account, you need to:

1. Apply for a MIR payment system debit card or obtain details for an existing one.
2. Gather the rest of the document package, which includes a Russian internal passport, SNILS, pension certificate, and, if necessary, a certificate of registration at the place of residence.
3. Submit an application to the Social Fund of Russia via a branch, MFC, or online through the State Services portal (Gosuslugi).
4. Wait for a positive decision regarding the pension transfer.
5. Contact a branch of the Pension Fund of Russia to confirm personal data.
6. Wait for the pension to be credited to the account.