The State Duma of the Russian Federation is examining a proposal to reduce the age at which people can retire early. The leading plan is set to be introduced to the lower house on December 13, according to reports from News. The initiative would adjust the framework for pension eligibility and trigger a broader discussion about how early retirement could affect both workers and the funding system.
Under the current law, the standard retirement ages are 65 for men and 60 for women, with certain professions already enjoying exemptions that permit earlier exit from the workforce. In addition, individuals who have accumulated at least 42 years of service for men and 37 years for women may qualify for an old-age pension up to 24 months before reaching the official age. This detail is outlined in the explanatory note accompanying the legislative proposal, which frames the change within the context of demographic trends and labor market realities.
The document argues that many secondary school graduates advance to higher education and then enter the job market in their early to mid-twenties, which means the current early retirement provisions are largely symbolic in practice. In other words, even though the policy exists on the books, its real-world impact has been limited, prompting lawmakers to reexamine how early retirement could operate within the broader system of social protection and state finances.
One key concern raised by the drafters is that the proposed pension amounts tied to early retirement could discourage formal work and prompt individuals to avoid contributions to extra-budgetary funds. The draft highlights a long-standing level of income that remains in the shadow economy and stresses that the new rules would include measures aimed at ensuring income visibility and preventing a shift of earnings into informal channels. The aim is to align pension policy with actual earnings patterns and to preserve the integrity of public and quasi-public financing channels.
To address these issues, the authors of the bill propose new criteria for early retirement: the insurance period would need to reach 37 years for men and 32 years for women as a threshold for eligibility, while the minimum age would remain at 60 for men and 55 for women. This adjustment seeks to strike a balance between recognizing long service and maintaining the financial sustainability of the pension system as population aging continues to shape demographic dynamics.
Svetlana Bessarab, a member of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs, commented on the ongoing discussions, noting that indexation of insurance pensions in Russia is planned to occur twice a year. This statement points to a broader statutory framework in which pensions are periodically adjusted to reflect cost-of-living changes and other economic indicators, a measure intended to preserve real purchasing power for retirees amid inflation and wage dynamics.
In parallel developments, recent executive actions have touched on the administration of pension benefits. Commentary around the delivery and administration of pensions underscores the importance of efficiency and accountability within the system, ensuring that retirees receive timely support while the government monitors and adjusts program parameters as needed. The evolving policy landscape signals readiness to adapt pension design to changing social and economic conditions while aiming to secure steady funding for future generations.