Posted on 08/29/2018 3:05:55 AM PDT by tlozo
A proposal to raise Russia’s retirement age is shaking the popularity of President Vladimir Putin, who faces a public backlash as the government seeks to stem the erosion of state finances to fund the country’s aging population.
The overhaul, which would raise the general age at which people qualify for state old-age pensions for the first time since the early 1930s, comes as Russia’s economy is smarting from international sanctions and a depreciated ruble has left average Russians with less spending power. Fierce opposition to the change is undermining the notion of Putin’s political invincibility.
The legislation, introduced by the government in June and set to start next year, calls for the retirement age to rise from 60 to 65 for men by 2028 and from 55 to 63 for women by 2034. That would likely leave Russians little time in their twilight years, given that average life expectancy is 71 years, according to 2016 data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service. Thousands of citizens protested the proposed legislation at rallies across the country in June, including in some traditionally pro-Putin strongholds in the heartlands.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
The move was sneakily announced at the start of the World Cup. It’s a problem as it breaks the contract inherent between the Kremlin and the Russian people, which is:
The people will stay out of politics, overlook all the corruption, in exchange for moderate material security and ‘respect’ on the world stage as Russia re-asserts its traditional foreign policy.
As they were cheering on their military’s incursions into Crimea and Syria though, they forgot to consider who would foot the bill for all the empire building. The pockets of Putin and his kleptocrats, won’t budge that’s certain.
Some people were forced into jobs they hated and don’t pay very much, esp following the collapse of the USSR... and have been slaving away with at least the guaranteed pension to look forward to...
It’s a big blow for older workers especially in parts of Russia where life expectancy remains well below average.
Russia has serious problems. Alcoholism, drug abuse, low birth rates, aging population, and population flight to other nations. They are trying to keep the people in the workforce longer. But raising the retirement age is like putting a band aide on a decapitated corpse’s arm.
Probably the number one driver of many of their problems is the systemic corruption in government. Putin is allegedly the richest man in Europe. It’s hard for Putin to address the number one problem in his country when that number one problem is fully embraced by him. He would be guilty of violating any law he put in place to address it.
Frankly, I see no hope for Russia. Whoever takes power would turn out to be just like Putin. Or, as the Latin’s would say: “Avé! Duci Novo, Similis Duci Seneci!” (Roughly, “Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.”)
Russians have a Social Security plan? Who would have thunk it.
Good thing these type of Social Security issues don’t happen to us.
Socialist policies are an economic roach motel. It's easy to check in and almost impossible to check out. That's why we have to fight even the slightest incremental step toward communism.
We shall defend our economic freedom, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight for our businesses, we shall fight for Lands End, we shall fight for Mrs. Fields and for the shops, we shall fight for Hills Bros; we shall never surrender.
+ 3
Young people are leaving in large numbers. Lack of jobs/future.
Saturday is my luncheon with local Russians and I’ll hear their take.
The proposal itself is not unreasonable economically. That low retirement age makes no more sense there than it would here. Russia is going to have to work (not retire) itself out of its problems — under a regime that will hopefully allow more economic freedom. If Putin takes the savings and plows them back into popular thing like medical care, he may yet survive
The legislation, introduced by the government in June and set to start next year, calls for the retirement age to rise from 60 to 65 for men by 2028 and from 55 to 63 for women by 2034. That would likely leave Russians little time in their twilight years, given that average life expectancy is 71 years, according to 2016 data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service.
...
Aren’t the feminists going to complain that this is unfair to men, especially since mean don’t live as long as women? Where’s the demand for equality?
Why wife is Russian, and got in under the wire last year - 6000 rubles per month, about a hundred bucks. Yippee.
Her younger sister is not so lucky and has to wait until she is 65 to get the same.
As America goes totalitarian and leftist (Trump is merely a reprieve), I would -- were I Russia -- start becoming what America used to be.
Start by pretty much copying our Bill of Rights. Actually *do* what that document says.
All freedom-minded, good people would flee to Russia, including many in America.
This would cause such a boon to Russia that they may well, in time, overtake America and China.
Hey, Vlad, it’s the Third Rail ALL OVER THE PLANET!!
Some are embarrassed and feel somewhat isolated. In a minor way. The ones I know love Trump and hate Putin.
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