The provision and range of Social Security benefits

Question 1

when did state welfare increase?

Answer 1

• between 1950 and 1980, state welfare spending increased

Question 2

what measures relieved poverty?

Answer 2

• Pensions, maternity, benefits, and housing all received more attention and did much to relieve poverty

Question 3

what occured in 1956 (pension scheme)

Answer 3

• In 1956 the pension scheme for the old, sick and disabled was expanded, and the retirement age was reduced

Question 4

what was the pension rate vs wages like during Brezhnev’s era?

Answer 4

• Pension rose at a higher rate than wages during the Brezhnev period but remained insufficient , for example, 40 rubles a month in 1980

Question 5

what did this mean? (the higher pension rate than wages)

Answer 5

• This encouraged many to continue to work part-time after reaching retirement age

Question 6

what were the elderly recruited for

Answer 6

The armies of street sweepers who cleared the pavement of winter snow were recruited from the elderly

Question 7

what change was made for peasants?

Answer 7

Peasants did not receive a pension until Brezhnev era