Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that retired military personnel would receive higher pensions starting in 2012.
"Starting in 2012, military pensions will be significantly higher," Putin said at a meeting with veterans and retirees at his residence near Moscow.
Russian Finance Ministry earlier said military pensions would rise by 30-40 percent and average about 15,000 rubles ($500) in 2012.
An average social retirement pension in Russia was about 8,000 rubles ($270) in 2010, but it will be significantly raised in three percentage installments in 2011.
Putin also said the government would allocate an additional 10 billion rubles ($30.3 million) to improve the living conditions of over 40,000 World War II veterans in Russia.
"The necessary funds in the amount of 10 billion rubles have been allocated in the 2011 state budget," Putin said.
NOVO-OGARYOVO (Moscow region), January 19 (RIA Novosti)
