Veteran of labor is not just an honorary title, but also an opportunity to receive various types of benefits. However, to be assigned this high status, a number of conditions must be met, including length of service requirements. This material examines the question of what length of service is needed to become a veteran of labor, and how to obtain it.
- General requirements for a labor veteran
- Special “veteran” experience
- Duration of total length of service for a labor veteran
- What periods are included in the insurance period of a labor veteran?
- Not included in the experience
- Private moments
General requirements for a labor veteran
In the Russian Federation, the status of a labor veteran is assigned based on the provisions of Art. 7 Federal Law “On Veterans”, which was adopted in 1995. Consequently, a citizen who claims to be a labor veteran must have a labor veteran certificate, or:
- long work experience in one industry;
- long general labor (insurance) length of service;
- state and departmental awards.
A person who does not have a veteran’s certificate must fulfill all 3 requirements of the law. At the same time, the length of service to become a labor veteran must be developed according to certain requirements.
How many years do women who started working during the Second World War need to receive the title of labor veteran?
A special place in the legal regulation of pensions and veteran status is occupied by citizens who began working before the age of eighteen during the Second World War. Increased experience is required to achieve the Veteran rank. For women, work experience is thirty-five years, for men - forty.
Also in practice, there is a misconception that such length of service by default gives the right to the title “Veteran of Labor”. This statement is incorrect. This length of service allows only citizens who served during the war to obtain veteran status without additional awards; otherwise, general rules apply.
Special “veteran” experience
First of all, we are talking about working in the same sector of the economy (and better if at the same enterprise), albeit in different positions. The minimum duration is established for conferring the title “veteran of labor.” How many years of experience is there? Only 15 years, but continuous.
If the industry accepts preferential accrual of length of service, then it is not taken into account. For example, surgeons have preferential experience - for 1 calendar year of work, 1.5 years of experience are accrued. Developing a preferential length of service of 15 years will require only 10 years. But if we are talking about a veteran rank, he will have to work at least another 5 years as a surgeon to develop the minimum industry experience.
Dependence on length of service and type of award
The procedure for obtaining veteran status for a woman requires attention in terms of calculating length of service, which will differ depending on the nature of the awards the pensioner has: departmental, Federal or other distinctive signs.
If you have a Federal award, there are no special requirements for length of service. The main thing is that the period of work corresponds to the amount established by law. If the award is departmental in nature, then to obtain the title of veteran you will need to confirm that you have worked in the same professional field for at least 15 years.
Watch the video. How to obtain the title of labor veteran in Russia?
Duration of total length of service for a labor veteran
In addition to over 15 years of experience in a particular industry, general work experience is also required. Its duration depends on the gender of the citizen:
- men – 25 years old;
- women - 20 years old.
We are also talking about the calendar calculation of length of service and experience. That is, only the years actually worked are counted. For example, for civil aviation flight attendants, provided they have flown the required number of hours during the year, the length of service is calculated with a coefficient of 2. However, when establishing the title of labor veteran, only calendar experience will be taken into account.
Muscovite Zhanna V. asked a lawyer for help in obtaining a veteran’s certificate. The woman worked in civil aviation for 16.5 years. During her work she was awarded a departmental award from the Ministry of Transport. The woman worked in trade for another 10 years. Zhanna was interested in whether she could qualify for the status of a labor veteran if, 2 years before leaving civil aviation, she interrupted her work due to pregnancy, childbirth and subsequent care for a child up to 1.5 years old. The lawyer recommended that the woman contact social security to assign the title, since the period of child care for up to 1.5 years is included in the insurance period, as well as maternity leave. In general, Zhanna meets the requirements of the law. Therefore, there should be no refusal to assign veteran status.
How to get a labor veteran for teachers
Article 7 of Law No. 5-FZ determines that departmental insignia are approved by the Government or relevant government bodies.
Educational activities in the Russian Federation are managed by the Ministry of Education and Science. In pursuance of these provisions of the law, this department issued order No. 1223 dated September 26, 2016.
This document approved departmental awards in the field of education and canceled all previous regulations of the ministry in this area. The document also mentions how to obtain a labor veteran for teaching staff.
According to Order No. 1223, the right to the title of labor veteran is given to teaching staff by only one award - the Insignia of the Ministry of Education and Science (clause 1.1 of Appendix 1 to Order No. 1223).
Order No. 1223 came into force on 02/09/2016. Therefore, how to become a veteran of teaching depends on the date of award. After the specified date, the right to this honorary title is given only by the Badge of Distinction. All other awards, thanks and other types of incentives in the field of education can be the basis for conferring the title of labor veteran only if received before December 2016.
For example, a diploma of honor from the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation received in 2021 is no longer suitable for a labor veteran, but if received in 2015, it may give the right to receive this status.
But simply having a departmental award is not enough to receive the title of veteran of labor in education. There are also general requirements for length of service established by Art. 7 of Law No. 5-FZ.
The applicant's work experience must be at least 25 years for men and at least 20 years for women. Moreover, in this case, at least 15 years of it must consist of work in the field of education.
What periods are included in the insurance period of a labor veteran?
Many people mistakenly believe that not all periods are counted towards the length of service required to obtain the status of “Veteran of Labor”. The length of work actually performed by a citizen certainly refers to the periods that are counted. But the following is also taken into account:
- maternity leave for the duration established by law;
- child care leave for up to 1.5 years with job preservation;
- periods of temporary disability associated with illness (so-called sick leave);
- periods of advanced training and study in the direction of the employer with retention of position and salary for these periods.
Service in the armed forces is not counted towards the special veteran's length of service; however, it is taken into account when forming the general insurance length of service. Since in the Federal Law “On Veterans”, in Art. 7, the type of length of service is being specified - labor (insurance); service in the ranks of the RF Armed Forces is included in those 25 years that are the minimum required to confer the title of labor veteran.
Muscovite Vladislav U turned to a lawyer for help. The man was interested in whether he was entitled to the title “Veteran of Labor” if he had worked in geological exploration for 18 years and had a departmental award. He worked as an office worker for another 4 years, after which he spent 3 years caring for his wife, who received a first-degree disability. The man served in the army for 2 years. Vladislav was denied social security, citing insufficient experience - only 24 years out of the 25 minimum required. The lawyer recommended challenging the refusal of social security, since periods of caring for a disabled person of the first degree should be included in the insurance period. Consequently, the man has an insurance period of 27 calendar years.
How to obtain the title of Veteran of Labor and how many years do you need to work for this?
Alas, over time, the honorary title “Veteran of Labor” lost its significance and partly its honor. The reason for this can be attributed to a change in attitude towards work. But a significant part of this process was made by legislative adjustments. Currently, obtaining this title is not just difficult, but almost impossible.
Receipt rules before 2005
Before the collapse of the USSR, it was enough to have 20 years of continuous service to be awarded. Having certificates and awards was considered an advantage. That is why the largest number of assignments could be observed during that period. As a result, this was the beginning of the actual devaluation of the title. To obtain the required benefits, no great effort was needed.
The situation changed in 1994, when a new law “On Veterans” was adopted. It has significantly tightened its standards. A prerequisite was the presence of honorary state insignia, orders and medals. Further changes were avalanche-like. In 1995, the Decree on the procedure for conferring the title “Veteran of Labor” came into force. To receive it, men had to have 25 years of continuous work experience and be over 60 years old. For women there were different conditions: experience - from 20 years; age – from 55 years.
In fact, this law was the most acceptable, both from the point of view of encouraging working Russian citizens and in terms of providing benefits:
- Improving living conditions;
- Free travel on all types of public transport;
- 50% payment of the cost of travel on local water and railway transport;
- 50% payment for utilities.
However, the mechanism for monitoring the receipt of benefits was imperfect. Therefore, in 2004, a new bill was adopted, which was subsequently approved and named No. 122 “On the monetization of benefits.”
The designation “Veteran of Labor” since 2005 – is it real or not?
In the text of the new law, the conditions for conferring the title “Veteran of Labor” have become noticeably stricter. In fact, they were adapted for the participants of the Second World War who were engaged in labor activities at that time. It is this fact that changes the meaning of honorary labor distinction.
Private moments
It is not always possible for people to confirm periods of service, especially if they relate to insurance and not “veteran” service. How to get a labor veteran whose length of service has been lost along with his work book, and whose period of work dates back to before 2002? There are 3 options here:
- contact the company where it was purchased;
- if the company is liquidated without legal successors, request information from the archives;
- if there is no information in the archives, find 2 witnesses who will confirm the fact of work at the enterprise.
But it also happens that even witnesses cannot be found. In this case, you can try to contact a lawyer and enter into an agreement with him to provide legal assistance in terms of identifying problematic work experience. A lawyer has broader powers than a civilian. At the lawyer’s request, he may be provided with information about the managers, heads of the human resources department, and accountants of the company where his client worked. Also, a lawyer can establish the length of service through the court, whose powers are even broader, because in the course of legal proceedings information from the Federal Tax Service may be requested, which is considered closed.
Due to frequent updates to legislation and the legal uniqueness of each situation, we recommend obtaining a free telephone consultation with a lawyer. You can ask your question by calling the hotline number 8 (800) 555-40-36 or write it in the form below.
Documents for obtaining the title of labor veteran
Since registration of veteran status involves applying to the authorities, the procedure will require the preparation of documents attached to the application for the title “Veteran of Labor”:
- identification document
- work book or other document confirming the presence of the required work experience,
- certificate, diploma, certificate or other document establishing the fact that a citizen has received the corresponding award,
- photographs for identification.
In some situations, a social security employee may additionally request a certificate of residence, a pension certificate, and so on. The complete list of papers for registration of a veteran title should be clarified with the territorial authority.
Unified cash payment to labor veterans.
What advantages does the title of labor veteran provide?
In Art. 13 of Law No. 5-FZ provides a general list of measures that can comprise social support provided, including to labor veterans:
- provision of pensions and benefits;
- making monthly cash payments;
- provision and assistance in maintaining housing;
- Payment of utility services;
- providing such types of assistance as medical and prosthetic and orthopedic.
At the same time, in relation to labor veterans, the right to establish specific measures of such support is assigned to the regions (Article 22 of Law No. 5-FZ), which can specify the types of support listed in the law and supplement them with their own. For example, it's possible:
- reduction in payments for housing, utilities or telephone;
- provision of free or partially paid travel.
In addition, in the regions there may be tax benefits for regional and local taxes, for which the legislation allows for the establishment of an additional list of benefits at the regional level.
About personal income tax benefits that pensioners can take advantage of in certain situations, read the article “Art. 217 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation (2015): questions and answers.”
Conditions for awarding the title “Veteran of Labor”
From July 1, 2021, the grounds for conferring the title “Veteran of Labor” have changed, since Article 3 of the Federal Law of December 29, 2015 No. 388-FZ “On amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation in terms of accounting and improving the provision of measures” came into force social support based on the obligation to comply with the principle of targeting and the application of criteria of need.” This article clarifies the grounds for awarding the title “Veteran of Labor”.
Currently, the basis for conferring the title of labor veteran is:
- orders or medals of the USSR or the Russian Federation,
- honorary titles of the USSR or the Russian Federation,
- certificates of honor from the President of the Russian Federation,
- gratitude from the President of the Russian Federation,
- departmental insignia for merit in labor (service) and long-term work (service) of at least 15 years in the relevant field of activity (sector of the economy).
Citizens who have these awards, in addition to industry experience, must have a total insurance experience of at least 25 years for men and at least 20 years for women. Or the length of service required for a pension.
In practice, this means that a citizen could actually work in a certain field, for example in the field of healthcare, for 20, 30 or even more years, but he can only apply for the title “Veteran of Labor” if he is awarded on behalf of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Federation departmental insignia, the Regulations of which include the condition that this insignia is issued for prolonged work (service) of at least 15 years and gives the right to be awarded the title “Veteran of Labor”.
For example, citizen N. has a total work experience of 30 years, of which 28 years he worked as an ambulance paramedic, that is, in the healthcare sector. In August 2021, he was awarded the Letter of Gratitude from the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation.
The legal status of this award is determined by order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated August 10, 2012 No. 78n “On departmental awards of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.” According to this order, the Gratitude of the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation rewards persons engaged in activities in the field of healthcare for good and conscientious work, with work experience of 3 or more years.
Based on this, citizen N., having an actual experience in the healthcare sector of 28 years, still cannot apply for the title “Veteran of Labor”, since the regulations on the award itself do not contain a condition on awarding for long-term work of at least 15 years - only 3 years.
From March 20, 2021, the only insignia of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation that gives the right to be awarded the title “Veteran of Labor” is the Certificate of Honor of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
They do not give the right to the title “Veteran of Labor”
The authority to establish departmental insignia is vested only in federal government agencies and state corporations.
Local state and municipal authorities are not authorized to establish departmental insignia that give the right to confer the title “Veteran of Labor”.
Therefore, awards on behalf of the governor of the Khabarovsk Territory, the government of the Khabarovsk Territory, line ministries of the Khabarovsk Territory and other constituent entities of the Russian Federation, certificates and gratitude from the administration of Khabarovsk, the mayor of the city are not taken into account when awarding the title “Veteran of Labor”.
Not taken into account:
- honorary titles, badges, badges, certificates, diplomas, and other awards established and issued by enterprises, public organizations, military units, and the Pension Fund.
- medals, diplomas, certificates, personalized gifts and other incentives for winning or participating in sports competitions, various competitions of federal, regional and local significance, diplomas confirming an academic title or degree, the title “Shock Worker of Communist Labor”, awards established by the organizing committees of all-Union festivals folk art, as well as medals from the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy.
Important!
The new requirements for departmental insignia in labor apply to insignia received after the amendments to the Federal Law of January 12, 1995 No. 5-FZ “On Veterans” came into force, that is, after July 1, 2021.
All departmental insignia in labor, which as of June 30, 2021 gave the right to be awarded the title “Veteran of Labor,” remain valid.
Find out what benefits you are entitled to if you have the title “Veteran of Labor”
