Why are Britons putting their pensions into Russia?
Published 28 April, 2008, 05:51
One in three men and women of working age in Britain has no pension savings, according to the opposition Conservative Party’s latest report, and state pensions pay for essential items only. As a result, some are trying to find their own schemes and are choosing to invest in emerging economies – such as Russia, Brazil and India.
With an expected increase in the elderly population and the influx of immigrants in recent years, experts say Britain is looking at a bleak future.
Liddy Portsmouth is 78 and still lives in the house she once shared with her husband and son. But now she’s alone and survives only thanks to the savings made by her late husband. Her pension just about covers food and basic clothing.
“I think everybody is in the same boat as I am – I mean you get the pension but it’s just 93 pounds a week and you could never keep a house or anything going on that – not when you’ve got council tax, rent, electricity, water, house insurance and your phone,” she says.
In Liddy’s days, there was hardly any choice of pension schemes.
Today the situation is very different – you can choose from a variety of options.
Investment manager Justin Urquhart Stewart is 53 and has no plans for retirement, but he’s convinced investing in Russia is a good bet.
“Russia to the outside world is one of the major exporters of commodities. A lot of growth comes from these commodities, therefore if you’re going to have a balanced economy you must have commodities and therefore you must have a connection with Russia,” Justin says.
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