How China's shift in retirement age balances social needs and worker rights

China will gradually adjust its statutory retirement age starting in 2025, a move lawmakers say is aimed at addressing the realities of an aging population, longer life expectancy and the diverse needs of workers.

The changes, which consider various factors and align with the country's current conditions, are designed to be implemented gradually and at a manageable pace.

Retirement age adjustments

Under the new policy, the retirement age for men will gradually increase from 60 to 63 over 15 years. For female cadres, the retirement age will rise from 55 to 58. Both male workers and women cadres will see their retirement age advance by one month every four months.

The policy maintains a connection with the existing retirement age framework while emphasizing a differentiated approach. Rather than applying a uniform change to everyone, it adjusts the retirement age for different groups. In the case of female blue-collar workers, the retirement age will gradually increase from 50 to 55, progressing by one month every two months.

This means that for female workers who would have retired at 50, the pace of reform will be faster, but their retirement age will still be the lowest among the three statutory categories, explained Dong Keyong, a professor at the School of Public Administration, Renmin University of China.

"This approach reflects a thoughtful consideration of their circumstances," said Dong. "Many female workers need to continue working, but often also carry family responsibilities."

Dong further noted that as the annual adjustments are small, it takes time for the changes to take effect. "The 15-year timeline allows for a gradual and steady approach with modest changes that do not disrupt people's work or life arrangements," he said.

Flexibility and adaptability

People will be allowed to retire up to three years earlier than the new statutory retirement age, provided they have met the minimum required years of pension contributions and do not retire earlier than the previous statutory age. The new policy also permits individuals to delay their retirement beyond the statutory age by up to three years, provided they reach an agreement with their employers.

Jin Weigang, vice president of the National Institutions Research Institute of Zhejiang University and China Social Security Society, said the policy's flexibility allows for voluntary retirement choices. 

"This approach turns the previously fixed retirement age into a flexible range, allowing for retirement up to three years before or after the statutory age," he said.

Support for older workers and employment initiatives

To promote high-quality, full employment, China has adopted an employment-first strategy, which includes improving public employment services, enhancing lifelong vocational training and supporting youth entrepreneurship. The policy also protects older workers by preventing age discrimination and encouraging employers to hire more older employees.

Companies have a responsibility not only to hire workers nearing retirement age but also to invest in their development from the start, said Dong. This involves providing training and support to ensure their skills keep pace with the company's growth.

Additionally, protecting the health of older workers will be a key focus in the next phase of the Healthy China Initiative, according to Yu Xuejun, deputy director of the National Health Commission. He emphasized the need to strengthen occupational health monitoring, understand workers' health status and prevent occupational diseases and health risks, particularly among older employees.

Legal protections and elderly care services

The new policy also outlines measures to ensure that workers beyond the statutory retirement age are guaranteed their basic rights, including fair compensation, rest and leave, workplace safety and health, and protection against work-related injuries.

"For the first time, legal protections have been mandated for the basic rights and interests of workers who are beyond the statutory retirement age," said Li Zhong, vice minister of human resources and social security. "This fills a gap in current labor laws, ensuring fair treatment for older workers in the workplace."

China will also strengthen policies for elderly care services, focusing on expanding support to cover all eligible seniors in extreme hardship, encouraging fully disabled elderly people from low-income families to move into care institutions and improving subsidies for seniors with financial difficulties, according to Tang Chengpei, deputy minister of civil affairs.

Efforts will also be made to promote community-based elderly care facilities to provide accessible, high-quality services close to home and enhance home care support for meal assistance, medical care, social participation and disability care, said Tang.

(Cover image by Liu Shaozhen)