Guide

What bank cards do banks offer to pensioners? We looked at the options and conditions

Source: Olga Lenskaya, Natalya Razhkova. Photo: Onlíner archive

To receive a pension on a card, a person must open a basic account. There are ten banks in Belarus that offer pension cards with a link to it. We looked at what conditions are available there now. Since the "basic minimum" is the same for everyone, banks have to compete for customers with their service and other bonuses - for example, cashback on products and medicines or interest on the account balance. Let's look at the features.

What this article is about

Advantages of pension cards

What is a basic account

Who can apply for a pension card

"Barhat" from Belarusbank

"Care" from Belagroprombank

"Pension card with a basic account" from MTBank

"SberKarta Generation" from Sber Bank

"Basic pension" package of services from Dabrabyt bank

"Best years" from Belinvestbank

"Pension card with a basic account" from BelVEB bank

"Compliment" from VTB bank

Cashalot "Belcard Premium for a basic account" from Belgasprombank

"Basic account for pension payment" from Priorbank

This article was previously published on Onlíner. We updated it to share the latest information on the conditions for pension cards again. Such materials do not lose their importance and can help you better navigate the offers from Belarusian banks.

Advantages of pension cards

A pension card in Belarus differs from an ordinary debit card in its legal status, cost, and financial conditions. The main difference lies in the type of account: a pension card is linked to a mandatory basic account, which can only be one in the country for a specific person, while ordinary card accounts can be opened without restrictions.

In terms of expenses, a pension card is much more beneficial. Its issuance and annual maintenance are free by default. For comparison, ordinary debit cards, although they can also be free, often require the holder to meet certain conditions: for example, a minimum account balance, number of transactions, etc.

Holders of pension cards can withdraw cash for free within Belarus not only at their bank's ATMs but also use extended limits without commission when withdrawing cash at other banks' ATMs, which is usually not available to holders of standard cards.

Social cards offer special bonuses. They accrue cashback on socially important categories (pharmacy and food products, utility payments), interest on the remaining balance, and discounts on insurance services and other privileges.

What is a basic account

This is a bank account for an individual, intended for receiving primary income. The legislation guarantees a person a certain set of operations for which the bank will not charge a fee. In addition to pensions, basic accounts can be used to receive salaries, scholarships, benefits, and other social payments. The bank opens a basic account at the citizen's request and maintains it under established "basic conditions". From July 1, 2025, all social payments are directed to such accounts. However, if you receive your pension by mail, you do not need a basic account.

Incidentally, basic accounts have been available since 2021: on September 23, Alexander Lukashenko signed decree No. 363 "On the current (checking) bank account of an individual with basic service conditions". At the time, it was noted that the document was adopted to ensure social protection for citizens and improve the quality and accessibility of banking services. The decree came into force in stages until July 2025.

Not all banks handle basic accounts, but only ten: these are Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, Belagroprombank, MTBank, Bank "Dabrabyt", Bank BelVEB, BelGazPromBank, Sber Bank, Priorbank, and Bank VTB. We have compiled a selection of cards linked to basic accounts available in these banks.

Who can apply for a pension card

The following individuals can apply to a bank for a pension card:

Individuals who are residents of the Republic of Belarus and have reached the established retirement age in the country

Other individuals who are entitled to receive a pension in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, upon presentation of a document confirming their right to receive a pension

Individuals who are residents of the Republic of Belarus and have not yet reached the established retirement age, but no earlier than three months before reaching the established retirement age in the Republic of Belarus

We will provide more detailed information about the conditions for pension cards offered by banks later.

"Barhat" from Belarusbank

Here is the translation of the given Russian news article fragment into natural, fluent English:

You can open a "Barhat" card here, linked to a basic account. It has a cashback: 1% for payments in the ERIP system and 3% for certain categories. For example, cashback can be earned on purchases of medicines, handicraft goods, tickets to a dacha or a museum. You can also save on purchases and receive cashback when using the card in partner stores, the list of which can be obtained in the bank's chatbot.

Among other benefits of the card, the bank notes the withdrawal of cash without commission: in the ATMs of Belarusbank and Belagroprombank - regardless of the amount; in the ATMs of other resident banks - up to 200 rubles per month.

There is an opportunity to accumulate funds for future goals on special terms when opening an online deposit in Belarusian rubles "Right Choice Online" (callable) and/or "Right Choice Online" (non-callable) with a storage period of 9 and/or 18 months. The bank also offers a 15% discount on insurance registration.

For managing the card and account, there is a free SMS notification service for incoming and outgoing transactions. And from October 1, 2026, free push notifications for outgoing transactions will be available in the online bank.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles for a period of 5 years.

"Care" from Belagroprombank

This bank offers pensioners the "Care" card. The issuance, delivery of the card by mail, and SMS notifications about pension accrual will be free - for other messages about actions with money, there is a 50% discount. A pleasant bonus is the loyalty program, which provides a refund of part of the funds from the amount of purchases made using the card: 5% from payment for transport (MCC codes 4111, 4112, 4131), from purchases in the categories "garden supplies" (5261) and "floristry" (MCC code 5992); 3% from purchases in pharmacies (MCC code 5912), in the category "entertainment and leisure" (MCC codes 5942, 5949, 5994, 5971, 7922, 7929, 7991); 1% from purchases in food stores (MCC codes 5311, 5331, 5411, 5499).

You can withdraw cash without commission at any bank's ATM in the country. The bank also offers cardholders discounts of up to 15% on insurance services, and the contract can even be registered for a relative or another person.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles for a period of 6 years.

"Pension Card with Basic Account" from MTBank

The Pension Card with a Basic Account is named as such. Registration, maintenance, and delivery by mail are free, as is the withdrawal of cash at the ATMs of any bank in the country.

There are three levels of manibek:

For payment of services in medical centers, hospitals, sanatoriums, optics, dentistry - 10%.

In pharmacies - 5%.

For payment of utility bills and mobile communications through ERIP (when paying through the SDBO bank's Internet bank "My Bank", the mobile application Moby, and in the MTbank infokiosks) - 1%

For purchases in supermarkets and other stores - 1%

And there is a limit for manibek: a maximum of 100 rubles can be received per month.

Cardholders also have access to the "For Yourself" package of services, which opens up additional opportunities for holders of the basic account in MTbank: special conditions for deposit, credit, and Halva card issuance.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system, the account currency is BYN, USD, EUR (you can issue up to 2 currency Mastercards in USD and EUR for your account). The card is valid for 5 years.

"SberCard Generation" from Sber Bank

Here, the pension card with a basic account is called "SberCard Generation". It can be issued and used for free. The features include free SMS notifications for operations without limits, 3% per annum income on the card balance. There is an opportunity to participate in the bank's loyalty program "Thank you" and receive up to 15% cashback in points for daily purchases.

Cardholders can also use a personal showcase with artificial intelligence, where the algorithm selects personal purchase categories:

Withdrawal of cash at all Sber Bank ATMs is commission-free. In other resident banks, the operation is also free, but there is a limit on the amount - up to 500 Belarusian rubles, above this amount, a commission of 4% (minimum 5 BYN) must be paid.

Changing the PIN code at an ATM will cost the cardholder 5 BYN, in the SBOL system - 3 BYN.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles for a period of 7 years.

"Basic Pension" package of services from the bank "Dobrabit"

The package is called "Basic Pension" - under it, the issuance and maintenance of the card are offered for free. An application for the card can be submitted online or a specialist can be invited home to fill out the necessary documents. SMS messages about the receipt and withdrawal of money from the card are free, and there is no commission for withdrawing cash from ATMs of any bank in Belarus.

This card has three main advantages. Firstly, manibek is up to 4%, but a maximum of 250 rubles can be received per month.

In pharmacies - 4%.

In medical centers - 3%.

For expenses on hobbies, travel, transportation, restaurants, and entertainment - 2%. For other expenses (excluding MCC codes for which cashback is not accrued) - 1%. Secondly, the bank accrues interest on the remaining balance on the card - 3% per annum. Thirdly, the card has a 15% discount on insurance from Belgosstrakh - it is possible to insure homes, property, and oneself against injuries. Contactless payment for up to 80 rubles is made without entering a PIN code. The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles for a period of 5 years.

The "Best Years" from Belinvestbank

This bank called the pension package "Best Years" - the card is free, as is its delivery by mail. Up to three additional "Belkart Premium" cards can be issued free of charge to the account. Within the framework of the "Incoming" tariff, it is possible to connect free SMS notifications about incoming funds to the account. The cashback is multi-layered: the maximum accrual is in the "Health" category - 3%, in the "Products" and "Travel" categories - 2%, and 1% in other categories in accordance with the "Bib-Bonus" loyalty program. It is possible to withdraw up to 1500 rubles without commission from the ATMs of other banks. There is also a personal "BIB-Consierge" who, for example, can be asked to find the necessary medicine in a pharmacy. A discount of up to 15% on insurance for a home, property, and health is also provided. If the daily balance on the account exceeds 50 rubles, 0.5% per annum is accrued on the balance, and up to 50 rubles - 0.01% per annum. The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles for a period of 3 years.

The "Pension Card with a Basic Account" from BelVEB Bank

The issuance and use of the pension card of this bank are available free of charge. It is possible to withdraw money without restrictions and commissions in "native" and partner ATMs, and in other ATMs - free of charge within the limit of 1000 rubles per month. It is possible to receive free push notifications about fund movements or use the "SMS notification" service (the first 3 months are free). The card has a cashback: 5% for purchases in pharmacies and optics, 1% for products, payment of utilities, mobile communications, and internet, and 3% for calculations in other categories of goods and services. The card has another feature: the bank accrues interest on the balance - 3% per annum. The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles.

"Compliment" from VTB Bank

This bank has a premium card called "Compliment". The card is available to bank clients aged 50 and above, provided they have an active basic account. The issuance and maintenance of the card are free, while SMS notifications cost 2.50 rubles per month.

There is a cashback of 1% in the form of BonusBOX points for payments made at pharmacies, opticians, and dental clinics.

The bank accrues interest on the account balance: 3% per annum on amounts from 500 rubles. An overdraft is available at 0.0001% per annum for the first 60 days and at 17.65% per annum from the 61st day of using the bank's money.

Up to 250 rubles can be withdrawn free of charge from ATMs of other banks, and a commission of 3.5% (minimum 5.5 rubles) will be charged for amounts above this limit.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles for a period of 4 years.

Cashalot "Belkart Premium for a basic account" from Belagazprombank

This bank has two pension cards. The Cashalot card offers free issuance, maintenance, and SMS notifications. A pleasant bonus is the opportunity to earn 3% interest on the account balance, regardless of the amount.

Cashback can be earned:

up to 10% in the partner network, 2% on medicines, medicine, glasses, sports and gardening products, up to 1% in other categories.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles and is valid for 5 years.

The "Belkart Premium for a basic account" card can also be issued free of charge. With this card, you can withdraw money without commission from Belagazprombank and Belagroprombank ATMs, as well as from RUP "Belposhta" offices. A commission of up to 3% of the amount (with minimum values) will be charged at other locations. Viewing the balance at other banks' ATMs will be paid - 3 rubles per request.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles, and the card's validity period is also 5 years.

"Basic account for pension payment" from Priorbank

Here, the pension card offers free issuance, maintenance, and withdrawal of up to 1000 rubles from other banks' ATMs within Belarus. A commission of 3% (minimum 5 rubles) will be charged for withdrawals above the limit. Interest of 0.0001% per annum is accrued on the account balance.

The bank also promises discounts on SMS notifications for all incoming and outgoing transactions from 50 BYN, and the cost of this service will be 1 ruble per month.

There is a cashback of up to 2% — among the categories to which it applies are pharmacies, hospitals, medical laboratories, and marketplaces. There is a nuance: each category has its own cashback percentage and its own minimum payment amount — for example, in a pharmacy, you need to make a purchase of at least 20 rubles to get 2% cashback.

The card is issued in the Belkart payment system in Belarusian rubles, with a validity period of 4 years.