China will raise the retirement age for the first time since 1978, as the world’s second-largest economy faces the problem of an ageing population and a dwindling workforce.
Beijing will gradually raise the retirement age for men from 60 to 63, for women in white-collar jobs from 55 to 58 and for women in blue-collar work from 50 to 55, state-owned news agency Xinhua reported on Friday (September 13).
The changes will take effect in January and be phased in over 15 years in “small-step adjustments”, Xinhua said.
The measures were approved by the standing committee of China’s parliament on Friday after being previewed at a five-yearly Communist party policy meeting in July.
Slowing economic growth
The retirement age hike comes when households are feeling the pinch from slowing economic growth, a prolonged property sector slump and a weak job market.
The discussion of the plan in the legislature earlier this week triggered an outpouring of anger on social media, where many complained about a sluggish job market. Some also pointed out how employers often discriminate against older candidates, reports Bloomberg.
The move also angered younger people, who complain that they are working ever-longer hours to support an ageing extended family, says the Financial Times. Many of China’s youth are the only child of their parents, having been born during the government’s “one-child policy”, which ended in 2016.
Move to ease pressure on ‘underfunded’ pension system
However, China needs to keep people in the workforce for a longer period to ease pressure on its underfunded pension systems, analysts said.
Under the plan, the retirement age for men and white-collar women will be extended by one month for every four months worked until they reach the new ceiling. For blue-collar women, the retirement age will be extended by two months for every one month worked.
A bigger tax base and delayed access to benefits will relieve the pressure on the government to fund pensions, says Bloomberg.
“The sustainability of the pension system may be the main consideration behind the move,” said Ding Shuang, chief economist for Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered. “
People aged 65 and older are expected to make up 30 per cent of the population by around 2035 from 14.2 per cent in 2021, according to a report by state broadcaster CCTV.
The pension contribution period will also be lengthened. Starting in January 2030, the minimum contribution period to receive the basic monthly pension payment will gradually rise from 15 years to 20 years, with an increase of six months each year.
Those who have already reached the minimum contribution period can opt for early retirement within certain limits. Those who reach the retirement age can also apply to keep working for up to three years.
