Astana. December 24. Kazakhstan Today - Since January 1 social payments in Kazakhstan will go up. The Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Kazakhstan Berdibek Saparbayev informed today at the government selector meeting. "Maximum size of pension taking into account the base will make 26110 KZT, the minimum pension will grow by 18 %, thus, the number of addressees of the minimum pension will decrease and recipients of maximum pensions will increase," he noted. By his estimation average pension since January 1, 2008 will make 13660 KZT. The Minister noted since January 1, 2008 living wage will grow from 3910 KZT in this year up to 4220 in 2008. The Minister of Labor reminded that social payments will begin next year. "The size of the monthly social payment 8 is 9344 KZT, its recipients will be approximately 27 thousand people," he informed. The Minister reminded, since January 1, 2008 payments to pregnant women will be increased. 44.7 billion KZT have been allocated in the budget of the next year for social payments.