Granting and disbursement of State Social Security benefit

State Social Security Benefit is granted if:

• The person does not qualify for:
  1. old-age pension,
  2. disability pension,
  3. survivor’s pension,
  4. insurance compensation for an accident at work or occupational disease, due to insufficient insurance period;
• The benefit recipient (Latvian citizen, non-citizen, foreigner, or stateless person) permanently resides in Latvia, has been issued a personal identity number, and has active status in the Population Register.

The benefit can be granted in the following cases:

1. Upon reaching the statutory pension age, if:
   • the person has resided in Latvia for at least 60 months in total, with the last 12 months continuously.
2. When disability is granted, and:
   • the person is 18 years of age or older;
   • the benefit may also be received by the person (pabalsta_pieprasisana_un_izmaksa.pdf) who was the legal representative of the individual until adulthood (a parent, guardian, or foster parent), if the court has accepted a case regarding capacity restriction and establishment of guardianship due to mental or other health disorders;
   • the person has resided in Latvia for at least 60 months in total, with the last 12 months continuously.
3. In the event of the death of a provider, and the child:
   • has lost one or both parents;
   • is a minor;
   • is of legal age but:
     • attends a general or vocational education institution and is not older than 20, or
     • studies full-time (daytime studies) in a higher education institution and is not older than 24;
   • is not married.

The benefit is not granted:

• if the person resides in Latvia with a temporary residence permit, except:
  1. a person who has been granted alternative status in Latvia, and their family members within the meaning of the Asylum Law, provided their permanent residence during the validity of the permit is in Latvia;
  2. a person who is a holder of a European Union Blue Card, and their family members, provided their permanent residence during the validity of the permit is in Latvia;
• if the person is receiving a pension from another country that is equal to or exceeds the amount of the Latvian State Social Security Benefit.

Translation prepared with a machine translation tool

State Social Security Benefit Amounts from 1 January 2025

(in case of old age, disability, and loss of a provider)

The amount of the State Social Security Benefit is determined as a percentage of the income median (hereinafter – IM), which represents the midpoint of monthly income distribution in the country, depending on the type of benefit – old-age, disability, or survivor’s benefit.

The benefit amount is reviewed annually on 1 January.

If, in the year under review, the applicable income median remains unchanged or decreases, the benefit amount remains at the previously determined level.

To determine the State Social Security Benefit amount as of 1 January 2025, the calculation is based on the monthly income median for the year 2022 , officially published by the Central Statistical Bureau, which is set at € 754.74 per month.

• Benefit for Persons with Disabilities

The amount of the State Social Security Benefit for persons with Group I and Group II disabilities depends on whether the person is employed. An additional supplement is granted to recipients who are not employed.

• Old-Age Benefit

The benefit amount is set at 22% of the income median (IM)

• Survivor’s Benefit (in case of loss of provider)

State Social Security Benefit Amounts Until 31 December 2024.

(see corresponding table for detailed rates based on disability group and employment status)

Translation prepared with a machine translation tool

The State Social Security Benefit is granted and paid:

1. for old age – for life, once the statutory pension age is reached.
2. in case of disability – for the period during which the disability is certified.
3. in case of loss of a provider:
   • until the child reaches the age of majority;
   • if, after reaching the age of 18, the child continues studies in general or vocational education, the benefit is paid until the age of 20;
   • if the child is enrolled in full-time higher education, the benefit is paid until the age of 24.

After reaching the age of majority, the Ministry of Education and Science shall electronically submit information to the State Social Insurance Agency regarding individuals continuing education in general, vocational, or higher education.

If the State Social Insurance Agency does not receive confirmation for the current academic year by 15 September, the benefit payment is suspended from 1 September.
 

For final-year students in schools or vocational programs, the benefit is suspended from 1 July.

The payment is resumed from the first day of the month following the date the information or certificate is received.

Any unpaid benefit amounts for previous months are added to the benefit payment for the current month.

If, after turning 18, the child studies abroad, the State Social Insurance Agency must be provided with a certificate from the foreign educational institution.

The foreign-issued document must:

• clearly confirm that the person is enrolled in a general, vocational, or full-time higher education program during the specified period;
• be prepared in accordance with legalization or certification rules;
• if issued in a foreign language, may require an official translation.

The benefit is paid for the previous month (e.g., paid in June for May).

If the person receives a foreign pension that is lower than the State Social Security Benefit, the benefit is reduced by the amount of the foreign pension. If the foreign pension equals or exceeds the benefit amount, the benefit is not granted.

Payment of the benefit is suspended:

• during the time the recipient is placed in a state-funded long-term social care or rehabilitation institution, or in a place of detention;
• if the recipient leaves the Republic of Latvia for permanent residence abroad. In such cases, the benefit is discontinued, and payment for the next two months is made in advance;
• if the recipient voluntarily waives further receipt of the benefit;
• when the person becomes entitled to:
  • a state pension (except survivor’s pension for a person with a disability), or
  • insurance compensation due to an occupational accident or occupational disease;
• if a surviving child enters into marriage.

The benefit may be received:

• by transfer to a credit institution account in the Republic of Latvia or a Postal Settlement System account;
• by home delivery to the recipient’s registered place of residence, subject to a delivery fee of € 2.39.

Translation prepared with a machine translation tool