They discussed the social welfare and protection of various categories of pensioners.
Mr Putin said the current state of affairs in the pension system was far from satisfactory but stressed evident improvement of the welfare of pensioners and disabled people. The Government earmarked 76 billion roubles for pension payments in 2004—5.4 times more than in 1999. Mr Putin promised another pension indexation within the year, and said that the federal budget envisaged relevant allocations.
See also
Speech at a Meeting with Pensioners
January 27, 2004