Living standard and resource potential of pensioners in the northern regions of Russia
The article evaluates standards of living and employment, attitudes to work and education for senior citizens in the northern regions of Russia. We show Russian major pension coverage trends, the ratio of average pension to wage, and the ratio of average pension to the subsistence minimum for a pensioner. In the majority of northern territories, especially in regions rich in raw materials, the pensioners' financial standing should be considered more problematic against the background of the generally high cost of living. Based on a sociological survey, we have discovered social feeling and employment characteristics of the third age population, assessed elders' cognitive abilities, and identified basic determinants of labor activity in older age groups. The study shows that two-thirds of survey respondents of retirement age estimate their income as sufficient and acceptable. Until the age of 65, people have a strong desire to work. Pensioners have an attitude to work equally as exacting as working-age people do: about a third of them would like to change their place of employment. Almost one-fifth of unemployed senior citizens want to find a job. The strongest determinants of labor activity for the elderly are age, level of education and attitude to education. Thirty percent of respondents not only recognize the ability of older people to learn but also would personally like to acquire new knowledge and skills. We conclude that any form of age discrimination in employment and education should not be practiced; instead, it is necessary to create conditions for the better use of the resource potential of older people.