What is the story about?
Germany is considering a major change to its retirement system, with plans to gradually raise the retirement age to around 70 by the early 2090s. The proposal comes as the country faces the challenge of an ageing population and increasing pressure on its pension system.
An expert commission appointed by the government has recommended linking retirement age to rising life expectancy and phasing out early retirement options. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed the recommendations, saying they would help secure pensions for future generations and prevent the system from becoming unsustainable.
The move has reignited a global debate over retirement ages. While many countries allow workers to retire in their early or mid-60s, several nations have already pushed retirement ages higher to cope with longer life expectancy and shrinking workforces.
If Germany eventually adopts a retirement age of 70, it would match Libya, which currently has the highest retirement age in the world.
According to data from World Population Review, in Libya, both men and women become eligible for retirement benefits at 70. The policy keeps experienced workers in the labour force for longer, although critics argue that it leaves relatively little time after retirement, given the country's average life expectancy of about 73 years.
A group of countries currently have some of the highest retirement ages globally, with pensions generally beginning at 67.
These include Italy, Australia, the Netherlands, Greece, Denmark and Iceland. In most of these countries, the retirement age applies equally to men and women.
Italy and the Netherlands have linked pension reforms to rising life expectancy, while Australia has gradually increased the retirement age from 65 to 67. Denmark and Iceland also encourage longer participation in the workforce as people live healthier and longer lives.
Greece allows retirement at 67 for full pension benefits, although workers with long contribution histories may retire earlier under certain conditions.
Israel also has a retirement age of 67 for men, while the retirement age for women is being gradually increased and currently ranges between 62 and 65 depending on birth year.
In the United States, the full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later. However, Americans can begin claiming Social Security benefits from age 62, though doing so reduces the monthly benefit amount.
Several European countries have retirement ages just below 67. Spain's average retirement age stands at approximately 66.5 years, while Portugal's is about 66.3 years.
Ireland's state pension age is currently 66, provided workers have made sufficient social insurance contributions during their careers.
India's retirement age remains significantly lower than many developed economies.
For most central government employees, the retirement age is 60 years. In the private sector, it generally ranges between 58 and 60 years, although the exact age can vary depending on the profession, employer and state regulations.
Several other countries, including Canada, Japan, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Chile, Romania, Cyprus and the UAE, have retirement ages above India's, generally ranging between 62 and 65 years.
Governments around the world are increasingly reconsidering retirement policies as populations age and life expectancy rises. Higher retirement ages can reduce pressure on pension systems, increase tax revenues and help address labour shortages.
However, critics argue that extending retirement age may be difficult for employees in physically demanding occupations and could delay opportunities for younger workers.
Germany's proposal highlights a growing global trend: as people live longer, governments are asking whether workers should also remain in the workforce for longer to keep pension systems financially secure.
An expert commission appointed by the government has recommended linking retirement age to rising life expectancy and phasing out early retirement options. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed the recommendations, saying they would help secure pensions for future generations and prevent the system from becoming unsustainable.
The move has reignited a global debate over retirement ages. While many countries allow workers to retire in their early or mid-60s, several nations have already pushed retirement ages higher to cope with longer life expectancy and shrinking workforces.
Libya tops the list with retirement at 70
If Germany eventually adopts a retirement age of 70, it would match Libya, which currently has the highest retirement age in the world.
According to data from World Population Review, in Libya, both men and women become eligible for retirement benefits at 70. The policy keeps experienced workers in the labour force for longer, although critics argue that it leaves relatively little time after retirement, given the country's average life expectancy of about 73 years.
Countries where retirement starts at 67
A group of countries currently have some of the highest retirement ages globally, with pensions generally beginning at 67.
These include Italy, Australia, the Netherlands, Greece, Denmark and Iceland. In most of these countries, the retirement age applies equally to men and women.
Italy and the Netherlands have linked pension reforms to rising life expectancy, while Australia has gradually increased the retirement age from 65 to 67. Denmark and Iceland also encourage longer participation in the workforce as people live healthier and longer lives.
Greece allows retirement at 67 for full pension benefits, although workers with long contribution histories may retire earlier under certain conditions.
Israel also has a retirement age of 67 for men, while the retirement age for women is being gradually increased and currently ranges between 62 and 65 depending on birth year.
United States and Western Europe close behind
In the United States, the full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later. However, Americans can begin claiming Social Security benefits from age 62, though doing so reduces the monthly benefit amount.
Several European countries have retirement ages just below 67. Spain's average retirement age stands at approximately 66.5 years, while Portugal's is about 66.3 years.
Ireland's state pension age is currently 66, provided workers have made sufficient social insurance contributions during their careers.
Where does India stand?
India's retirement age remains significantly lower than many developed economies.
For most central government employees, the retirement age is 60 years. In the private sector, it generally ranges between 58 and 60 years, although the exact age can vary depending on the profession, employer and state regulations.
Several other countries, including Canada, Japan, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Chile, Romania, Cyprus and the UAE, have retirement ages above India's, generally ranging between 62 and 65 years.
Why countries are raising retirement ages
Governments around the world are increasingly reconsidering retirement policies as populations age and life expectancy rises. Higher retirement ages can reduce pressure on pension systems, increase tax revenues and help address labour shortages.
However, critics argue that extending retirement age may be difficult for employees in physically demanding occupations and could delay opportunities for younger workers.
Germany's proposal highlights a growing global trend: as people live longer, governments are asking whether workers should also remain in the workforce for longer to keep pension systems financially secure.
