Hard cover wrapped in burgundy leather, measures approx. 2 ¾" x 4" when closed. The front cover shows the embossed abbreviation "МГБ СССР" (MGB USSR), and "пенсионное удостоверение" (pension ID book), with the USSR state emblem between the two lines of text.

The first internal page, containing Khoroshev's photo, shows that he was anything but an ordinary, if senior, MGB officer. Issued in 1952 with very low number 2275, and filled in using that special "Kremlin" calligraphic handwriting used for VIPs, it states that Col. Khoroshev retired after 28 years of service in State Security, bringing the start of his career to VChK-OGPU in 1924, with all the implications thereof.

The page bears two hand signatures instead of the expected one, of the head of the local MGB financial department. Yepishev's signature is right next to the seal, in blue ink.

Aleksey Yepishev (Алексей Алексеевич Епишев, 1908 - 1986) got the appointment to the post of Deputy Minister of State Security of the USSR, Personnel, in August 1951, a sudden appointment caused by the arrest of the previous minister V. Abakumov and the move to purge the apparatus of "his people".

Yepishev would rise to General of the Army in 1962, straight from Major General, bypassing two ranks in between and despite (or maybe thanks to) being more of a political operative than a military man. He eventually became Commander of the Soviet Armed Forces Political Department - a position of enormous power executing the Communist Party control over the military (he was not answerable to the Minister of Defense and was subordinate only to the Party Politburo). A man obsessed with the absolute necessity for extreme censorship to protect the armed forces from exposure to possible heresy, he was virtually a character straight out of Orwell's 1984!

In good condition. The leather of the cover shows minimal scuffing at the corners. The embossed lettering and state emblem have lost about 90% of their gold luster but are still perfectly legible. Inside, the bottom of the pages shows an old water stain, not reaching the text and not affecting the signature of the head of the Finance Department. The second page containing the list of entitlements must have been studied over and over judging by the short separation at the top and mild but visible wear at the top and bottom corners, probably resulting from turning the page very many times. All this wear is not too intrusive to the eye and not very detractive. The book is still quite presentable. Yepishev's signature is unaffected by any wear.

The list of entitlements and privileges of the MGB retiree reads like a fairy tale to anyone who lived in the USSR as an adult. Free health insurance to the retiree and his family including MGB clinics and health resorts. Continued use of his living quarters and out-of-turn access to new living quarters should he decide to move. Free plot of land to use as a dacha including access to construction materials and supplies at state-established prices with interest-free credit for 10 years.

The retiree was also entitled to his full pension and no limitations on salary if hired for a salaried job. The only "threat" to his pension was if he was mobilized for military service. Then, for the duration of the service, his pension was frozen, the pension book to be returned to the finance department.

The ink stamp on the last, blank, page says that the pension book is irreplaceable if lost.

Please note that the penny in our photo is for size reference.