In early January, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signed a law concerning a new savings system for children called "Keleshek". The program is designed to implement a Unified Voluntary Savings System, which includes an initial educational capital from the state, an annual government bonus, and investment income, targeting children from the age of five.
At the "Financial Center" JSC, the main operator of the "Keleshek" program, representatives answered questions from Tengrinews.kz and clarified the key aspects of the state educational savings system (GOSS).
What are the features of the "Keleshek" savings program, and what are its advantages?
"Keleshek" is a mechanism of state support intended for children in Kazakhstan aged five and older, aimed at stable financial accumulation until they reach the age of 18, for the purpose of covering educational services both domestically and internationally, including higher, technical, and vocational education.
The goal of this initiative is to guarantee quality education for the younger generation. "Keleshek" is an additional state measure that operates alongside the provision of state grants and is completely voluntary.
How does the "Keleshek" program work?
The state allocates an initial educational capital of 60 MRP (which amounts to 235,920 tenge in 2025) and 120 MRP (471,840 tenge) for orphaned children, as well as an annual government bonus of 5-7 percent.
Parents or guardians, in turn, must make an annual minimum contribution of at least 12 MRP for children with special needs and 24 MRP for other children.
What is the mechanism of the "Keleshek" program?
To participate in the "Keleshek" system, parents need to open an account in second-tier banks and insurance companies that are part of the state educational savings system (GOSS), where children who turn 5 years old in the current calendar year will receive the initial educational capital of 60 MRP (235,920 tenge in 2025) and for orphaned children, 120 MRP (471,840 tenge), along with the annual government bonus of 5-7 percent and rewards from second-tier banks or investment income from life insurance companies.
As explained by the "Financial Center" JSC, the initial capital from the state will only be granted to children who are 5 years old. Those older than this age can only expect investment income and government bonuses when opening a deposit under the "Keleshek" program.
Who can open deposits under the "Keleshek" program?
Any parent or guardian can open a deposit in the name of their child. However, only children who reach the age of 5 in the current calendar year at the time of opening can claim the initial educational capital (60 MRP, 120 MRP).
Where to apply to open deposits under the "Keleshek" program?
To participate, it is necessary to open an educational deposit with partner banks or insurance companies involved in the program.
Which banks are participants in the state educational savings system?
Partner banks include Halyk Bank, Jusan Bank, "Otbasy Bank", "Nurbank", and VTB Bank. In addition to banks, the program also involves insurance companies: JSC "SK Eurasia", JSC "KSG Freedom Finance Life", JSC "Subsidiary Company of the People's Bank of Kazakhstan for Life Insurance 'Halyk-Life'", JSC "Standard Life Insurance Company", and JSC "KSG Nomad Life".
What documents are needed to open a deposit under the "Keleshek" program?
To open a deposit, the parent or guardian must provide identification and the child's birth certificate.
For what purposes can the savings from the "Keleshek" program be used?
Upon completion of secondary education (school), the accumulated funds can be used for tuition at colleges and universities both in the country and abroad. In the case of receiving a grant, the accumulated funds can be used for other educational purposes, transferred to a third party under the "Keleshek" program, continued for further savings, used for housing, or withdrawn upon providing proof of education.
Additionally, the accounts will be insured by the Kazakhstan Deposit Insurance Fund, and the amount of insurance payouts will be covered by the Insurance Payout Guarantee Fund. Furthermore, the deposits are not subject to claims, seizures, or other restrictions.