(ECNS) -- Tang Tao, vice minister of Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said during a panel discussionon on Monday that raising the official retirement age beyond 60 is becoming the general trend. [Special coverage]
China's retirement age is 60 for men, 55 for female white-collar workers and 50 for female blue-collar employees. According to a reform plan, from 2018 the retirement age for women would be raised one year every three years while the retirement age for men would increase one year every six years. That means that by 2045, the retirement age for both men and women would be 65.
Yu Guangyao, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at a panel discussion that female workers in senior professional posts or cadres with titles at division level in Party and government offices, people's organizations and public institutions can retire after they reach 60.
But Tang said in the long run the retirement age has to be raised further out of concerns for pension funds and allocation of human resources.
Tang also admitted that some employees disagree with the delayed retirement so it's possible to allow them as well their companies to make their own choice.
