One of the most sensitive social issues in Russia, which worries most of the population, is recent government statements that a gradual increase in the retirement age to 63-65 years is planned by 2020. The debate about whether to introduce such unpopular measures has not subsided for a long time. In order to understand the essence of the changes taking place in the Russian pension system, it is necessary to study the arguments put forward by both parties and to understand whether there is any sense in transforming the existing legislation on this topic.
Today, the age at which Russians leave their jobs and go on well-deserved rest is 60 years for men (this period can be reduced due to difficult working conditions) and 55 years for women (for them, it is also possible to change the age down) ) An increase in the retirement age implies retirement for both sexes at 63 years old.
According to supporters of this decision, this will help in the future to reduce the burden on the state economy and the working part of the population, since in a few years the ratio of pensioners and working people will become such that it will not be possible to maintain even the current level of pension provision.
To avoid a collapse of the economy, you can choose one of three ways: increase the interest rates of contributions to the pension fund, increase the birth rate so that the number of working people exceeds the number of pensioners, or raise the retirement age. According to the heads of economic departments, raising rates will not be able to cover all necessary expenses and will force many employers to begin paying gray salaries. To increase the birth rate instantly is an a priori utopian thought, therefore, the best way out of this economic impasse is to increase the retirement age in Russia.
With regard to the position of opponents of such actions by the state, it relies mainly on the existing standard of living in the country. Since for most Russians retirement is accompanied by a sharp deterioration, many of them continue to work. This, according to opponents of this measure, should help to avoid raising the retirement age. Russia will have to come to terms with the fact that for some time citizens will be forced to work after 60 years, but over time, when the demographic situation becomes more stable, pensioners will be able to stay home after 60 years of age.
In addition to this, an important argument in the dispute is the fact that according to statistical data, the average age of death of men in Russia is just about the age limit of 60 years. Consequently, an increase in the retirement age will not help to improve the state of affairs in the country's economy - there will simply be no one to work after the pension. In addition, the state of health of citizens today is such that many of them will be able to “outwit” the state, and with the adoption of the law in question they will simply draw up an appropriate disability pension.
Another reason not to make this decision is the fact that the majority of citizens working today who are near retirement age are not competitive in the modern labor market, and therefore they will not be able to find a job.
In other words, increasing the retirement age in Russia is not only an extremely unpopular measure that will immediately destroy the ratings of the politician who would risk implementing this idea . This is still largely a meaningless idea, the implementation of which may entail even more problems in the economy than exists at the present moment.