The military junta has announced that applications for elderly social pension support must be submitted on time, and that beneficiaries will continue receiving only 5,000 kyats per month during the current fiscal year.
For the 2026–2027 fiscal year, eligible elderly people will receive social pension payments twice a year, covering six months each time. Authorities have announced that applications must be submitted by May 31 at ward or village administration offices or nearby social welfare offices.
Caregivers say the 5,000-kyat monthly pension has become far from enough since the military coup, as food prices, living costs, and medical expenses for elderly people continue to rise.
“With only 5,000 kyats a month, it is not even enough for one day’s food expenses. We receive payment only once every three months. We are grateful to receive some support, but it would help elderly people much more if the amount were enough for daily expenses and provided more effectively,” said a person caring for elderly people in Thanbyuzayat Township.
Some elderly people are unable to fully benefit from the pension due to difficulties in registration, and because some local administrative offices are allegedly deducting money from the payments.
Although the junta announced that welfare payments would be transferred through mobile phones starting this year, elderly people may face difficulties receiving the money because many are unfamiliar with smartphones, do not know how to use money transfer applications, and/or have limited access to phones and internet services.
A charity worker also suggested lowering the eligibility age requirement, saying that many elderly people between the ages of 70 and 80 are already struggling with basic living conditions.
“Nowadays, in villages, you can count the number of people over 85 on your fingers. In this village, there may not even be 20 people over that age. It would be more appropriate to set the age at 70 or at least 80 and above. Our charity groups usually assist elderly people twice a year, starting from those over 70 years old,” said a charity group leader from Ye Township.
Under the previous civilian government, beginning in the 2017–2018 fiscal year, elderly social pensions were provided at a rate of 10,000 kyats per month, with 30,000 kyats distributed every three months, four times a year.
Under the current military junta, only 30,000 kyats is provided once every six months, twice a year.
According to data from the Department of Social Welfare, Myanmar has approximately 6.3 million elderly people, including more than 248,900 people aged 85 and above.
