Nizhny Novgorod residents were told who is entitled to a 13th salary.

      December 1, 2025 07:30 Economy NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Maria Orlova

      The New Year is coming soon — a time of gifts, office parties, family feasts and, of course, extra expenses. During this period many working residents of Nizhny Novgorod hope for financial support in the form of a year-end bonus, commonly called the "thirteenth salary." A correspondent for NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" found out what this payment is, who is entitled to it and what employers face if they decide not to pay it.

      Who is entitled to the holiday bonus?

      From a legal point of view the concept of a "13th salary" does not exist in the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. As Svetlana Shabronova, senior lawyer at the online job and recruitment platform hh.ru, explained to NIA, this refers to a year-end bonus that is a stimulating payment and not a mandatory part of wages.

      "The thirteenth salary is due only to those employees for whom its payment is directly provided by law or by the organization's local regulatory acts, subject to compliance with all established conditions," she noted.

      Employees of private companies can expect a year-end bonus if the conditions for its payment are clearly specified in the collective agreement, the regulations on bonuses or the employment contract. It may also be provided for certain categories of state or municipal employees and public-sector workers if it is entrenched in regulatory acts: decrees of the Government of the Russian Federation, presidential decrees, regional laws and other documents.

      In addition, organizations may set a year-end bonus for employees who reach certain targets — for example, based on plan fulfillment, absence of disciplinary sanctions, or high quality of work.

      How many Nizhny Novgorod residents expect a bonus?

      According to a survey by the job search service SuperJob, 54% of working residents of Nizhny Novgorod expect to receive a 13th salary or year-end bonus. Forty-one percent of respondents do not expect an additional payment.

      Interestingly, the share of men expecting a bonus is higher (58%) than that of women (49%). The most optimistic are young people under 35: 57% expect additional payments at the end of the year. Among respondents aged 35–45, 55% expect them, while among those aged 45 and over — only 49%.

      Among those with higher education, 57% expect a bonus, while among those with secondary vocational education — 44%. The highest share expecting a year-end bonus is among those earning from 150,000 rubles a month — 65%.

      If they receive the thirteenth salary, Nizhny Novgorod residents most often plan to spend it on vacations and travel (18% of respondents). Seventeen percent will use the money to repay loans and debts. Fifteen percent — on family needs; 10% each — on current expenses or repairs. Nine percent of city residents will put the bonus into savings. Another 6% will spend it on gifts. Five percent intend to spend it all on themselves. Three percent will pay for education, 2% — for medical services.

      What are the consequences for an employer who fails to pay?

      The State Labor Inspectorate for the Nizhny Novgorod Region confirmed that the thirteenth salary can indeed be paid as a bonus, but the Labor Code does not establish specific conditions, procedures or deadlines for its accrual. These parameters are determined by the employer and must be enshrined in the company's internal documents — the collective agreement, an agreement, the regulations on bonuses and others.

      However, if an employer fails to fulfill the terms of a collective agreement, including the payment of bonuses, they may be held administratively liable under Article 5.31 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. At the same time, as the supervisory authority told NIA "Nizhny Novgorod," in 2025 there were no complaints from employees about the non-payment of the thirteenth salary.

      Experts advise: if you are not sure whether you are entitled to a year-end bonus, check your employment contract or collective agreement. If the terms are violated — seek clarification from your employer or contact the labor inspectorate.

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