Across Russia, surveys indicate that a monthly pension of 60 thousand rubles is viewed as sufficient for a comfortable life. This insight comes from RBС and reflects the latest input from SberNPF analysts. The study helps illustrate what a typical Russian family expects retirement earnings to cover everyday needs without financial stress.
A broader survey of 15 thousand Russians living in large cities with populations over half a million shows a clear trend: retirement income expectations have risen over three years. In 2020 the estimate was 49.6 thousand rubles per month. By 2023 it had climbed to 59.2 thousand rubles, signaling a steady push toward higher post‑work income among urban residents. The shift reflects rising living costs, longer post‑work life plans, and worries about long‑term security as expenses grow with time.
Geography shapes these expectations. The strongest demands come from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Residents there aim for monthly pensions around 104 thousand rubles and 83 thousand rubles respectively, a notable leap from three years earlier. The growth is pronounced: in Moscow it rose by about 39 thousand rubles, and in St. Petersburg by roughly 28.5 thousand rubles, underscoring an urban premium in retirement planning and perceived living standards.
Beyond the two capitals, the city rankings by desired pension mix regional cost of living with personal saving habits. Kazan, Voronezh, and Samara occupy the top spots after the metropolises, with average target pensions near 72.2 thousand, 68.8 thousand, and 66.7 thousand rubles per month respectively. These figures reveal how metropolitan pricing, local wages, and family circumstances shape retirement expectations across Russia’s regions.
A parallel study conducted by Rabota.ru with SberNPF, published in August 2023, offers a slightly different take on public sentiment. Russians on average expect a pension within a broad band from about 46 thousand to 104 thousand rubles per month. Those in Krasnodar Territory stood out as the group with the highest expressed demand during that period, highlighting regional disparities in income and cost of living. The range points to genuine concern about maintaining a certain lifestyle after work ends, even as official pension scales continue to evolve.
From a policy standpoint, there have been public signals from the highest levels of government regarding pension payments. The leadership has voiced plans to raise pension amounts in the near term, indicating a political priority to adjust retirement incomes in response to shifting economic realities. While these statements do not promise specific outcomes, they contribute to an expectation among retirees and those nearing retirement who closely follow policy developments. The overall picture shows a steady effort to align pension levels with living costs, social welfare goals, and the broader aims of economic security.
Taken together, the surveys sketch a portrait of a population that sees retirement as a period with concrete financial needs rather than a distant, abstract phase. The contrasts between cities reveal how regional economies shape retirement planning. The general trend points toward higher pension targets, driven by inflation, rising living costs, and a desire for stability in post‑work years. Although official pension policy can move slowly, public expectations continue to rise, and households increasingly factor anticipated pension income into long‑term financial decisions. This evolving landscape matters for policymakers, financial institutions, and individuals as they plan for retirement in a changing economic environment.