Unemployed retirees receive an average income of 24,000 rubles
In recent years, Russia has been making regular adjustments to its pension system, primarily through annual indexation based on inflation and government decisions aimed at improving pensioners' income levels. Over the period from April 2021 to April 2023, the average pension for non-working pensioners in Russia has generally increased, thanks to a combination of inflation-adjusted rises and targeted increases announced by the government.
According to data from the news agency "RIA Novosti", as of April 1, 2023, the total number of pensioners in Russia stood at 40.9 million. From this date to the latest available data, the number of pensioners has increased. During this same period, the average payment to non-working pensioners increased from 23,700 rubles to 24,000 rubles, but it subsequently decreased to 23,500 rubles per month. This represents a decrease of approximately 2.08% compared to the increase from January 1 to April 1, 2023.
Meanwhile, social pensions in Russia have seen a more significant increase. From early 2023 to early 2025, social pensions rose by 14.75%, or 375 rubles per month. In contrast, insurance pensions increased by 9.5% during the same period.
The changes in pensions are influenced by several factors. Inflation and cost of living play a significant role, with annual pension indexation primarily driven by inflation to preserve retirees' purchasing power. Government social policy also plays a crucial role, with political priorities to maintain social stability and support vulnerable groups leading to periodic pension increases beyond inflation.
Economic conditions, such as Russia’s macroeconomic performance, oil prices, and fiscal space, directly impact pension funding and increases. Demographic trends, including an aging population, have increased pressure on the pension system, prompting reforms to balance sustainability with adequacy. Finally, legislative reforms, including adjustments to pension ages and qualification conditions, indirectly affect pension sizes and recipients.
While the exact figures for the average pension from April 2021 to April 2023 are not provided in the search results, the trend has been a steady nominal increase aligned with inflation and government policy measures to support pensioners in Russia. The changes in pensions reflect the interplay of these key factors, each playing a unique role in shaping the pension landscape in Russia.
In light of the trends observed, it appears that personal-finance authorities in Russia have been implementing policies aimed at increasing social pensions more than insurance pensions, demonstrating a conscious effort towards supporting vulnerable groups within their population. Furthermore, the pursuit of financial stability necessitates taking into account factors such as inflation, cost of living, economic conditions, demographic trends, and legislative reforms to ensure the ongoing sustainability and adequacy of the nation's personal-finance system.
