YEREVAN, October 20. /ARKA/. Armenia plans to extend a program offering a 20% cashback to pensioners on non-cash purchases made with bank cards until the end of 2029, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has submitted a draft government resolution for public discussion, proposing to extend the 20% cashback program—capped at 10,000 drams—for non-cash transactions made using bank cards (specifically those used to receive pensions and social benefits) from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2029. The proposal maintains the existing mechanisms for calculating and issuing the cashback.
The Ministry reports that, as of October, 572,590 pensioners and benefit recipients have already utilized the 20% cashback program. The average cashback amount has been approximately 8,150 drams.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs notes that the cashback is generated and credited automatically when payments are made via bank cards at POS terminals in retail outlets or service-providing establishments within Armenia.
About the Cashback Program for Pensions and Benefits
Since July 1, 2022, a cashback program has been in effect in Armenia for pensioners and social benefit recipients, covering non-cash payments for goods and utility services. A previous government resolution had extended the program’s duration until December 31, 2026. Initially, the refund amount was 10% of monthly expenses, capped at 5,000 drams; it was subsequently increased to 12%, with a cap of 6,000 drams. Starting January 1, 2026, the refund is set at 20%, up to a maximum of 10,000 drams per month. Payments are made by the 25th day of the month following the reporting period.
