Yerevan/Mediamax/. Minister of Defense of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan reported to President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan today on completion of development of the program that provides for drastic increase of the state military pension for cases of disability or death during performance of military duty.

Vigen Sargsyan noted that an approach was formed which anticipates new, significantly larger pensions for cases that occur from 28 January 2017 (the 25 anniversary of the Armenian Armed Forces).

Families with dead or first degree disabled soldiers will receive at least AMD 10mln single insurance premium. Soldiers with second degree disability will receive AMD 5 mln single insurance premium.

Monthly insurance premium in cases of death or first degree disability will make AMD 300,000 for officers, AMD 250,000 for junior officers and AMD 200,000 for privates.

These premiums will make AMD 250,000, AMD 200,000 and AMD 150,000 respectively in cases of second degree disability.

This amount will be paid for 20 years as insurance premium, making total AMD 82 mln for officers, AMD 70 mln for junior officers, and AMD 48 mln for privates. As for disabled soldiers, if the fund is efficient and has necessary financial tools, in 20 years the fund council will be able to make a decision on continuation of these premiums. Otherwise, in 20 years disabled soldiers will receive social benefits in the amount established by the state in that period.

The program will be financed by a special fund, which will take AMD 1000 fee from every employed person. The fund will also raise voluntary donations. The money will be spent exclusively on paying the insurance premiums. A council will be formed from persons respected and trusted by the society, which will control this process, entirely transparent and public.

Vigen Sargsyan said that the program is designed within the “army-nation” concept, where the whole society takes the social responsibility of servicemen.