Actual aspects of social inequality and social policy are considered when comparing the Russian experience and the experience of the European Union countries. The actual basis of the article is the materials of a sociological survey. The article takes into account that the problem of inequality has a broad and complex character, while there are common and different sides of inequality in different age-generational groups of the population. State social security policy is of great importance for the countries of the European Union and for Russia. Social policy of the state in the spirit of the constitutional provisions on the social state in Russia is important, especially in the aspect of solving social problems of different generations. The idea of "social justice" is the most relevant for all age-generational groups of Russians. Sociological materials suggest the need for society and the state to pay additional attention to the development of education, increase its accessibility to the masses and create conditions for connecting more significant masses of people to various forms of entrepreneurship as civilized ways and means for effective work and overcoming poverty. The social security system should be improved in accordance with the principles of targeting, flexibility, efficiency and taking into account the needs of different age and generational groups.