
Recently RusDelfi conducted a survey of readers on the size of pensions. More than 50 people responded, and practically in every report it was possible to see one sentiment: the size of pensions is not enough. So, 52 of 58 people who participated in the survey, expressed dissatisfaction with their pensions. Most comments complained that it is not enough even to cover basic needs. Only a few responses say that the size of the pension satisfies the person or mentions of support from the family, which helps to ease the financial situation. Six people directly indicated that they buy expired products or are undernourished. Most often people wrote that the pension is used to pay for municipal services, to buy the most essential foods and drugs, but without the
money to have enough for full nutrition, clothing, medical
services and cultural life. We have highlighted 10 key themes that were mentioned in the responses. Payment of utility services. Pensioners often
say that a significant part of the pension goes to pay housing, electricity, internet and other obligatory municipal payments. Food (basic foods). Many have enough pension only the most essential foods frequently reported purchases of discounted or
expired items. While three people mentioned that fruits, vegetables, meat and other important foods are often a rascality. Medications and medical costs. Purchasing prescription drugs and other medical medicines is
one of the major expenditures, but for quality medical services (e.g., dentistry) moneyInaccessibility to cultural life and leisure activities. Many complain that they have no access to cultural
activities, visiting theaters, concerts, traveling or even meeting with friends. Unavailability of new clothing and shoes . Many pensioners are unable to afford new clothes or shoes and often have to wear
old clothes or purchase these from secondhand shops. Social division and injustice . The questions are being raised about the fact that pensions do not equal to
work experience, high taxes and prices exacerbate social inequality. Savings on everything – 4 mentions. Some pensioners remember that their lifestyle is forced
to become minimalistic, with the rejection of many familiar things. Fears of the future (rising taxes and prices). Pensioners are afraid
of the future because of increasing taxes and prices, especially the possible tax on real estate. Support from family. Only
few mention that they are supported by children or loved ones, which allows them to lead a more comfortable life. Discontent with government and social policies. Some pensioners express strong discontent with the government’s
actions, pointing to the injustice of the system, the increase
in prices and taxes, and also the lack of attention to the problems of the older people. There are some of the some of the responses from people who have responded to our call. “Pay for domestic services 42% of pension, saving meals, refusing all cultural activities, except free ones. No visit to dental doctors is possible.
Pension 743. All the rest is not available to pensioners in Estonia. Now all taxes have been enacted. Social disparity in Estonia.
Social distribution in Estonia, Social in theBecause of my disability, I have a very small pension. I only have enough to pay for housing, medicine and other bills. And we have to
survive.” “To pay the utilities, to buy medications and expired meat at the store.” “We are both pensioners with husband, we have
enough, but this year will be hard, prices
and taxes have increased….” “Paying community services, very small meals.
myself, through the Internet store. On Mother’s Day from three sons I receive the gifts I need. I buy the food that I I want, the problem is only that in the power of age and disease, many drugs, I have practically no appetite, so it’s hard to choose what I want to eat, but if I want something, I don’t look at the price. Meat and chicken and foods of these we never have 6 years, only fish and something of other foods. “I’m 70 years old, in principle, I don’t complain about life. “I have enough to pay for housing and utilities, to buy prescription medications, to buy groceries at discounts and campaigns, and a pension of 686 euros.” “Utility and other necessary payments, electricity, telephone, internet, insurance for the apartment, medications, a modest grocery basket.” “Utility payments + groceries – and no pension. Medications, clothing, shoes
and other goods is as who is who is who is. Pensions, like and wages, are different, but the majority
have only to have something to survive, with a lot to deny themselves.” With this question
we contacted the Department of Social Insurance and received detailed explanations. “On the side of the Department of Social Insurance for pensioners for older older older there is a state discount on the purchase of support means,
health we pay social social support in the amount from 12 to 40 euros in months, in depending on the degree of severity of disability of health. Rates of benefits can be viewed here. For People of Pension age with established degree of health impairment the Department of Social Insurance offers service
social rehabilitation, the limit which is 1275 euros per calendar year. If the service is provided as a program, the limit is up to 1800 euros in a calendar year. For more details read here. Support for the elderly people is provided at the
level of the self-government and depends on the possibilities of the county of the county. For example, all residents of Tallinn are paid an increase to the pension.in the amount of 200 euros per year. Pension Subsidy (also known as “a gift
on birthday”) is a universal benefit, which is paid out one time per year, in the month preceding the month of the birth of the recipient. The Pension Supplement provides benefits, for example, at some pharmacies, automobile repair shops and when replacing tyres. The full list of what Tallinn offers
to its older residents can be found on the link. In Narva there is a city benefit, which is paid once every year to all people receiving the old-age pension;