CRI听力:China Will Raise Retirement Age in Progressive Steps

Hu Xiaoyi the deputy head of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced that the retirement age will not be raised all of a sudden.

"We might begin with the groups who enjoy the lowest retirement age, mainly the professional workers, such as doctors, teachers, scientists, engineers ect. Starting with them, then we expand the policy to other groups."

The current retirement age in China is 55 to 60 for men, and 50 to 55 for women, according to their professions.

The central government has pledged to extend the working years for Chinese people after a key Party session last month, due to a shrinking job market and a rapidly-aging society.

However, this has raised concerns that it will make the job market more competitive for young people.

Hu Xiaoyi from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security is aware of the concerns, but notes that the purpose of the new policy is to create more jobs in the longterm.

"Due to the fast aging process, there are 200 million elders here in China, which means we need a lot of social services to take care of the elder population that creates a lot of jobs also."

Meanwhile many people have expressed their concerns about the social insurances and pension issues which could also be affected if the working year cap is raised.

"I don't really care about work year limits. I'm OK with raising the retirement age. What really matters is the dispensing of pension. I may pay a lot for it now, but receive little in the future. This is what I worry about."

"I work in Beijing but hold no Beijing Hukou, and may not stay in Beijing in the future. The biggest problem is if social insurances can be linked nationwide."

Hu stresses that the government needs to build a pension system that can equally benefit all people in the society.

As of yet, no timetable or details have been released about the reform on the retirement age.

For CRI, I'm Jordan lee.