I am 35 years old, have my own business, a beautiful wife and two daughters aged seven. I have my own house, car, in general I do not need anything – I live to my own pleasure. My parents do not go hungry either, they are retired and receive good payments. They live well.
I have never thought about how other retirees live. But once I was on my way to my native village and an old lady stopped me and asked me for a ride to the center. I could see that she lived modestly, I would even say poorly – her face was very thin and haggard, and her clothes were several years old.
She told me that she knew my family well and that my spouse often gave her a ride. And then she began to tell me about her life.
It turns out that surviving on one pensioner is not so easy. Most of the money is spent on services such as utilities, and to eat the most basic food. Earlier, when Lydia Stepanovna’s husband was alive, it was easier for her. Still, it is easier with two pensions. And then he died, and life became absolutely difficult.
All her life she worked as a nurse in surgery, and gets a mere penny. I felt sorry for her and gave her a couple of thousand, though she didn’t want to take it.
I keep thinking, what is wrong with our country that people who have worked for it all their lives can barely survive in their old age?
