Social program for self-employed Russians actually failed
According to the Social Fund, as of mid-October this year, the program of voluntary insurance of the self-employed, allowing them to receive paid sick leave, did not arouse widespread interest
The authorities expected that the amount of voluntary contributions from the self-employed to hospital will reach billions of rubles, but the program has not yet aroused significant interest. According to the Tax Service, at the beginning of 2026 there were about 17.3 million self-employed in Russia, 12% more than in 2025. This number is growing from year to year at a record pace. I can see why. Self-employed are exempt from social security contributions. pay only professional income tax of 4% or 6%,
However, there are no social guarantees. Since they do not pay income tax, and employers do not pay insurance premiums for them, then when they go on a well-deserved rest, they “shine” only a social pension, much less than the insurance one. In addition, its payments are appointed five years later than for ordinary employees. They are also not paid sick leave and leave.
In order for the self-employed to have social guarantees, from January 2026 they are allowed to voluntarily contribute to the SFR. They, like other Russians, will be paid sick leave. The program is also available to individual entrepreneurs.
To choose from two amounts - 35 thousand and 50 thousand rubles. This is the basis for calculating the benefit for a full month of illness. In 2026, the monthly contribution is 3.84% of the selected limit - 1,3 thousand or 1,9 thousand rubles, respectively. If you miss the payment, the insurance will stop. However, it is impossible to receive money immediately after joining the program: you need to pay contributions first for six months. After that, the benefit is calculated from 70% of the selected amount, and after 12 months - from 100%.
Perhaps this is a deterrent for potential participants in the program. Pay for a period of time and then use a new service. Perhaps here the authors of the project reinsured themselves, appointing a six-month “respite” in the payment of sick leave. After all, all self-employed from the first month would hardly go to be treated: you need confirmation of doctors, and they do not issue sick leave to the right and left.
Associate Professor of the basic department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation “Development of human capital” of the Plekhanov REU Lyudmila Ivanova-Shvets agrees with this.
“In my opinion, people are being stopped by a restriction on sick leave payments,” she says. - What do self-employed people think? That they will not get sick, and the monthly contributions must be paid, means that they lose part of their income. I think this program is relevant, for example, for women who are going to go on maternity leave. In general, self-employed people regulate their own capabilities.
Maybe this program should be adjusted in some way, bring it closer to the problems of the self-employed?
- I don't know how. If only to increase deductions for them and send some percentage to the Social Fund to pay for sick leave. But then the very meaning of self-employment is lost. Russians choose this status in order to pay minimum taxes. If you raise deductions, the number of self-employed will decrease. The mechanism itself is correct, and a certain part of this category needs it. In life, different circumstances happen and a person participating in the program will have at least some financial support from the state. But do not forget that a significant part of the self-employed simultaneously work for hire, receive a “white” salary and pay the necessary taxes. That is, it has all the social guarantees at the main place of work. They are not interested in this program at all.
