MOSCOW, March 18 (RAPSI) – A bill granting preretirement disabled persons a right to alimony has been signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin into law, according to the official website of legal information.

The initiative was passed by the State Duma on March 12 and approved by the Federation Council on March 13.

Under the law, women arrived at the age of 55 and men, who have reached the age of 60, would have a right to disability alimony.

Amendments are to be introduced to Russia’s Family Code.

The initiative has been drafted due to the pension reform implemented in Russia. On October 3, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pension system change bill increasing the age of retirement to 60 years for women and to 65 years for men into law. The law also stipulates that mothers with many children would gain a right to retirement at 50-57 years. A labor experience term enabling to retire on a pension earlier would be lowered, from 45 to 42 for men, and from 40 to 37 for women. Unemployment allowance is to be increased for persons nearing retirement age starting 2019.