Problems of pension provision for persons with disabilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan: comparative legal analysis

Abstract

This article examines the problems of pension provision for persons with disabilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan within a comparative legal framework. The aim of the study is to identify the key legal and institutional challenges of the national disability pension system and to develop directions for its improvement based on a comparative analysis of the legislation of Germany and South Korea. The research employs formal legal, comparative legal, systemic, and normative methods of analysis, which make it possible to examine pension provision as a complex legal institution encompassing elements of social security, insurance protection, and labour-market integration. The findings indicate that the current pension provision model in the Republic of Kazakhstan is predominantly compensatory in nature and insufficiently linked to mechanisms of vocational rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities. At the same time, international experience demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated systems that combine pension payments with active employment policies and insurance-based protection mechanisms. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need to transition toward a comprehensive legal model of pension provision for persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan, based on strengthening insurance principles, developing rehabilitation programmes, and expanding measures to promote labour-market integration.