On September 13, 2024, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress approved the “State Council Measures on the Gradual Postponement of the Statutory Retirement Age,” which will take effect on January 1, 2025. These measures establish a gradual increase in the retirement age over a 15-year period.
Under the new regulations, male and female employees in administrative or office positions (white-collar), who currently retire at ages 60 and 55, respectively, will see their retirement ages increase by one month for every four-month period, reaching 63 and 58 in 2040. Meanwhile, female employees in operational or manual positions (blue-collar) will increase from the current age of 50 to 55 in 2040, with an increase of one month for every two-month period.
For example, a male employee who was originally scheduled to retire on January 1, 2025, will now retire on February 1, 2025 (one month later). Similarly, someone who was scheduled to retire on May 1, 2025, will now retire on July 1, 2025 (two months later).
Furthermore, starting January 1, 2030, the minimum years of contribution required to access pension benefits will also be gradually increased. Currently set at 15 years, six months will be added for each year until reaching 20 years of contribution.
Likewise, on December 31, 2024, three ministries and the Organization Department of the Party Central Committee issued the Notice on “Provisional Measures for the Implementation of the Flexible Retirement System.” This regulation, also effective January 1, 2025, expands the provisions on early and delayed retirement.
Employees who meet the minimum contribution period will be eligible for early retirement, provided their age is not lower than the thresholds established before 2025. Similarly, those who wish to continue working beyond the statutory retirement age may do so.
The attached official document includes comparative tables by gender and type of employment, detailing how the retirement age will be progressively postponed. These tables are available in Chinese with English translation for reference.
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