Alla Pugacheva. Archive photo.
Legal Standing on Pension Rights
Singer Alla Pugacheva cannot be deprived of her old-age pension in Russia. However, if a criminal case were initiated against her and she was found guilty, a court could potentially strip her of honorary titles and supplementary pension payments. This was clarified by legal expert Elena Braun, a retired lieutenant colonel of the internal service.
Braun explained that the right to a labor pension (old-age pension) in Russia is held by all Russian citizens, regardless of whether their citizenship was acquired by birth or obtained later. While birthright Russian citizenship cannot be revoked by law, acquired citizenship can be forfeited for grave offenses. These include crimes of a terrorist nature, armed rebellion, sabotage, high treason, deliberate actions aimed at undermining trust in the Armed Forces, violation of Russia`s territorial integrity, desertion, and evasion of military service.
The lawyer highlighted that Pugacheva`s citizenship, being by birth, remains irrevocable even if criminal proceedings under such articles were to be brought against her and she were found guilty. Therefore, the deprivation of her old-age pension is not legally possible under current legislation.
“Currently, objectively, it is highly improbable to strip Alla Pugacheva of her pension without the initiation of a criminal case under any relevant articles of the Russian Criminal Code,” Braun stated. “Nevertheless, should a criminal case be opened and a court decision rendered, it is not ruled out that she could lose her honorary titles and any additional pension benefits associated with them.”
Alla Pugacheva`s Recent Activities
Singer Alla Pugacheva left Russia for Israel with her children in October 2022. Her departure was met with a significant wave of criticism on social media platforms. In response, Pugacheva publicly referred to the animosity from those she “could never tolerate” as a source of happiness. She further asserted that her critics, whom she described as having been “serfs,” had now become “slaves.” She made a brief return to Russia on November 3, 2023, during which she recorded three songs for personal use, before leaving the country once more.
