Millionaire Malofeyev Intends to Eliminate Pension Benefits for Individuals Born Beyond 1995
Billionaire Konstantin Malofeev, founder of the Tsargrad TV channel, has proposed the abolishment of pensions for individuals born after 1995. According to Malofeev, this measure is designed to encourage young people to save for their own retirement or have children who would support them in their old age, with references to historical practices in the Russian Empire.
Citing the average of seven children per woman in the early 20th century, Malofeev argues that the tradition of children supporting their aging parents alleviated the need for a state pension system. He further argues that decreasing birth rates were a result of the Bolsheviks and liberals promoting career opportunities and education for women, which led to smaller family sizes.
Despite his views, Malofeev does not advocate for the immediate abolishment of pensions for current pensioners, citing the influence of state propaganda over the past century that encouraged self-interest and disregard for the future.
However, the State Duma has responded skeptically to Malofeev's proposal, with Member of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs, Svetlana Bessarab, calling it "complete nonsense." Bessarab emphasizes that the pension system is complex, with contributions from current workers financing the pensions of retirees, and Malofeev's proposition appears to misunderstand this intricate system.
Additionally, Bessarab suggests that Malofeev's ideas resemble a tribal society, indicating that Russia has progressed beyond such dated ideologies.
Andrey Klishas, Chairman of the Constitutional Law Committee of the Federation Council, echoed these sentiments, reiterating that social security, including pensions, is enshrined in the Russian Constitution.
With an average insurance pension of over 24,000 rubles in Russia, the debate surrounding Malofeev's proposal highlights the delicate balance of demographic, social, and economic challenges in the country.
The billionaire's proposal to abolish pensions for individuals born after 1995, as a means to encourage self-reliance or family support in old age, has been met with skepticism in the Russian political landscape. This proposal, put forward by Konstantin Malofeev, has been criticized by figures like Svetlana Bessarab, who deems it a misinterpretation of the intricate pension system and an outdated ideology akin to tribal societies. Furthermore, the complexities of the pension system, with current workers financing the pensions of retirees, and the constitutional guarantee of social security, make Malofeev's proposition a contentious topic in the realms of Russian politics and business.