A Brief Review of the History and Structure of Social Security in Iran

Abstrakt

Social security, and old-age protection as one of its components, are key concerns for governments shaped by demographic ageing and economic pressures. The situation is further complicated by institutional fragmentation. This paper traces the historical evolution of Iranian social security, highlighting provisions for old-age pensions, demonstrating that the system operates through 18 active pension funds, each with its own legal framework, contribution rates, and benefit calculation formulas. Such fragmentation generates inequalities in retirement income, while inflation, demographic shifts and governance ambiguities further threaten sustainability. The study, primarily based on national documents and reviews, concludes that Iran’s pension system remains structurally vulnerable, requiring coherent reforms to ensure fairness, transparency and long-term financial viability.