No. 225: Russia's Pension Reform

Author(s): Martin Brand, Elena Maltseva, Irina Meyer
Series Editor(s): Stephen Aris, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder, Aglaya Snetkov
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Volume: 225
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich; Research Centre for East European Studies (FSO), University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES), George Washington University; Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES), University of Zurich; German Association for East European Studies (DGO)
Publication Year: 2018

This edition of the RAD analyses the reaction to the pension reforms announced in Russia earlier this year. Firstly, Martin Brand examines how protests against the reforms forced the government to engage in a public debate on the issue. Secondly, Elena Maltseva outlines how the Russian pension system has been transformed since the 1990s, noting that while there have been distinct periods of reform since then, all have been primarily driven by neoliberal economic advisers to the Russian government. Thirdly, Irina Meyer assesses the role of trade unions in organizing and leading the protests against the proposed reforms, suggesting that such trade union-led protests have little capacity to affect social policy in Russia.

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