Maximum maternity benefit for 2026 announced in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has announced the maximum lump-sum maternity benefit for 2026, which will not exceed 2,499,000 tenge. This figure is calculated based on social contributions made over the last 12 months and the duration of maternity leave.

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The final amount is calculated individually and depends on the income from which social contributions were made over the last 12 months, as well as the duration of the maternity leave.

However, recent legislative changes have introduced a cap on benefit calculations. The average maternity benefit in the first half of 2026 was approximately 1.4 million tenge, a decrease of 15.5% or 254,900 tenge compared to the same period last year. This reduction is attributed to a new rule limiting the calculation base to an average monthly income of no more than seven times the minimum wage, which currently stands at 595,000 tenge.

Balgyn Satbekkyzy, Deputy Director of the Almaty branch of the State Social Insurance Fund JSC, explained that the final benefit amount is determined individually. If a woman's average monthly income exceeds the established limit, her benefit will be calculated based on this cap. The income levels are verified through social contributions paid into the State Social Insurance Fund over the preceding 12 months.

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If employment is resumed, the recipient is required to notify the State Corporation of their return to work. Based on this notification, the social benefit is suspended.

Regarding returning to work during maternity leave, Satbekkyzy clarified that if employment is resumed, the recipient must notify the State Corporation. This notification will lead to the suspension of the social benefit, and once terminated, these payments cannot be resumed.

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The maximum lump-sum social maternity benefit for working women in 2026 is 2,499,000 tenge.