MOSCOW, September 19 (RAPSI) – A bill giving persons nearing retirement age a right to forced heirship has been submitted to the State Duma, according to the database of the parliament’s lower house.

Under the bill, a right to receive a legitimate heritage portion would be granted to women reaching the age of 55 and men reaching the age of 60.

Currently, minor or disabled children of testators as well as their disabled spouses, parents or other dependents could inherit no less than a half portion, the so-called statutory share, despite the contents of a will, according to the Civil Code of Russia. A right to forced heirship is aimed to support people in need of exceptional protection because of age and health state, including senior citizens.

The proposed amendments are to take effect when the pension age is changed in Russia.

On July 19, the State Duma passed the pension system bill in the first reading. Initially, the document, which was suggested in mid-June by the government, provided a gradual increase in the retirement age of up to 65 years for men and up to 63 years for women.

Earlier in September, President Vladimir Putin submitted amendments to a pension reform bill to the lower house of Russian parliament. The amended bill is to be considered by the State Duma in the second reading. 

The President issued a set of suggestions on the pension system change on August 29.  Putin proposed to lower the women’s retirement age to 60 years. Morever, he made several proposals aimed to strengthen guarantees for persons nearing retirement age, in particular to protect them from discrimination and dismissal without a valid reason.