Russia tests voluntary social insurance for self-employed workers
The Ministry of Labor is evaluating an experimental program that would provide voluntary social insurance for self-employed individuals in the event of temporary disability. Vedomosti reported the initiative, citing unnamed sources. A draft law to govern the plan has been prepared, and the document was presented to a public council under the Ministry in September.
The government intends to present the project in October, with an eye toward launching the trial on January 1, 2026. The experiment is planned to run until the end of the occupational income tax regime, which is set to conclude on December 31, 2028. This timeline situates the program as a clearly defined test period within a broader reform agenda, according to the reporting outlet.
The proposed insurance program offers two premium tracks. The insured amount can be set at 35,000 rubles or 50,000 rubles, corresponding to 3.84 percent of the chosen amount. Monthly payments would be 1,344 rubles or 1,920 rubles, depending on the selected insured amount. The plan also contemplates using decreasing and increasing coefficients to adjust the premiums over time, highlighting a flexible approach to pricing coverage for self-employed workers.
A self-employed person would sign a voluntary insurance contract with an insurance company and commence premium payments according to the chosen insured amount. If the insured misses a single monthly payment, the contract may be terminated, underscoring a strict compliance framework for participants in the trial.
Earlier reports indicated that the Labor Department intends to limit access for self-employed individuals to engage in dangerous work under the program, which would influence the eligibility criteria for certain types of employment within the experiment.
Experts previously wondered whether Russians might respond to higher taxes by altering their behavior, raising questions about tax compliance and the broader willingness of self-employed workers to participate in new levies as policy changes unfold.
From a wider perspective, the proposal fits into a growing conversation about extending social protection to independent workers, a trend seen in many economies as the self-employed share of the workforce increases. The specifics of how this program would work in practice, including enforcement, governance, and long-term sustainability, remain to be seen as lawmakers monitor its effects and public acceptance.
For international readers, parallels can be drawn with disability coverage frameworks in other countries, including Canada and the United States. In Canada, self-employed workers participate in pension and disability programs through voluntary contributions to national plans, while in the United States disability benefits are primarily tied to Social Security and private coverage, reflecting different funding structures and eligibility rules. The Russian approach offers a point of comparison for policymakers and workers seeking to balance voluntary protection with practical costs and administrative complexity.
Ultimately, the plan is described as experimental and contingent on evaluation, with the goal of assessing how voluntary social insurance could bolster safety nets for a growing segment of the workforce. Observers will be watching closely how eligibility, premiums, and enforcement translate into real-world outcomes for self-employed people and for the broader tax and social protection landscape, both in Russia and in comparative international contexts.