Nearly 10,000 unemployed Kazakhstani citizens over 50 have found work since the start of the year thanks to the "Silver Age" project. To make it more attractive for employers to hire older workers, the state partially compensates their salaries, reports infohub.kz.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, in the first year the state subsidizes 70% of the participant's salary, in the second year 65%, and in the third year 60%. The subsidy amount is capped at 30 monthly calculation indices (MCI) per month.
Unemployed people over 50 registered with career centers can participate in the program. Employment under the program is possible for up to three years.
However, employers cannot simply dismiss an employee after state payments cease. One of the program's conditions is to provide the person with a permanent job. For pre-retirement age workers, it must be kept for at least a year, and for participants over 58, until retirement.
Since the beginning of 2026, the program has been fulfilled by more than 92% of the annual plan. The largest number of participants were employed in the Turkestan, Karaganda, Aktobe, and Zhambyl regions.
The majority of those who found work live in rural areas — 63.2%. Women make up 54.4% of participants.
The Ministry of Labor also cited the example of Karligash Abylgazina, a resident of the Abai region. She worked under the program for three years at the individual enterprise "Tynyshbaev", after which she was kept on as a permanent cook.
"When you're over fifty, finding a good job can be difficult, and 'Silver Age' has been a huge support for me. Over three years, I was able to show what I can do, and now I happily work on a permanent basis," Abylgazina said.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that elderly Kazakhstani citizens continue to face financial constraints. One in five pensioners cannot independently cope with even relatively small unexpected expenses, and almost a third cannot afford a week-long vacation away from home.