In a comment for Vedomosti, Ekaterina Papchenkova, Director of Center for Evidence-Based Expertise, speculated on possible changes in the regulation of self-employment after the experimental regime ends in 2028. She focused primarily on issues related to social security and pensions for this category of citizens.
According to the expert, the key problem is that a significant portion of self-employed remain outside the pension system. "According to the Social Fund, as of September 2024, more than half (50.5%), or 4.6 mn, of self-employed do not pay any contributions to the OPS and remain outside the pension system. At the same time, contributions are paid by employers for 49.2% of the self-employed, as these people also work under employment contracts," said Ekaterina Papchenkova.
The expert suggested several scenarios for developments after 2028. “It is possible that mandatory insurance contributions at a reduced rate will be introduced for the self-employed, but it is also possible that voluntary insurance mechanisms will be retained and developed. In particular, the new law on the platform economy, which gives digital platforms the right to co-finance social and pension products for performers on platforms, could have a positive effect,” she said.