Sberbank's social card is a special offer that the main bank of Russia makes only for retirees and persons eligible for social benefits. Such a card is issued only upon presentation of a pension or other certificate of this kind. This card provides a range of benefits and additional amenities.
Why do you need a social card
Sberbank of Russia is known for its social programs, among which there are developments for students, pensioners and persons receiving subsidies from the state. Sberbank's social card is made according to the Maestro standard, it is usually charged with a pension, but you can also accept other benefits or payments there.
A social card will save you from having to receive your pension in an inconvenient way. Usually, people are forced to sit at home on a certain day, waiting for an employee of the post office or other service that deals with the payment of pensions. A pensioner never knows exactly when this person will come, sometimes even the date of his arrival is not exactly known: this happens if the planned day of pension payment falls on a day off.
It will become very easy to receive a pension with a social card. The money will be credited automatically. And if you connect SMS notifications, then you will find out that the funds have been credited to the account at the same moment. Today, a large number of retirees use cell phones, so this option can really become very convenient.
A social card, like a regular bank card, allows you to pay for any services; it is accepted in all stores and terminals in Russia.
How to open a social card in Sberbank
To get a social card, you need to come to the nearest branch of Sberbank of Russia. There you will be given an application form. After completing it, you will also need to present your pension card and ID card - a regular passport.
You also need to have permanent registration in the region in which the branch where you issue the card is located. If there is no permanent registration, then the decision on whether to issue you a card is made by the bank.
If you become a pensioner in the very near future, then you can issue a social card a little in advance. To do this, you can contact Sberbank a month or two before this period with a request to make a card: usually bank employees do not refuse.
After registration, you will be given account details. You should contact the FIU with them, after which the pension will automatically begin to be credited to your account.
Advantages and disadvantages of a social card
The balance on the social card is charged 3.5% per annum, and this percentage is higher than for other types of Sberbank cards. Annual service for such a card is free. At the request of the applicant, it is possible to issue additional cards to the main account.
The card has one drawback, which is unlikely to seem significant to many pensioners: it is serviced only in Russia. The reason is that social card transactions are carried out only in rubles.
You cannot receive a salary on a social card. For this purpose, it is not released.
