CHINA-RETIREMENT: CHINESE GOVERNMENT DISCUSSING AMENDING RETIREMENT AGES IN VIEW OF INCREASED LIFE EXPECTANCY
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Recently, more than 20 of China’s 31 provinces completed soliciting public opinions on delaying
the retirement age. The process started last December. The statutory retirement ages – 60 for men,
55 for white-collar women, and 50 for blue-collar women – were set 70 years ago. A
Beijing government statement said since then life expectancy in urban China has increased by a
whopping 40 years. Reforms under discussion include a gradual rise to retirement at 65 – at least
for men. The Key recommendations by provinces include: Creating jobs suitable for older
workers; Providing community child care systems; Improving skills training for older
workers; Granting a higher return for older workers’ social security contributions;
and Encouraging companies to hire older workers
(Comment: The 2020 population census recorded 73 million people aged between 60 and 65, or
5.2% of China’s total.)
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