BelTA: Long Life - More Work

There is no alternative to the retirement age increase amid current demographic situation.

Sociologist Tatstsiana Haplinchyk shared her opinion with BelTA.

"When I am asked whether it is right or wrong to increase the retirement age, I usually say it is right. First of all this is right from the demographic point of view, she said. - The retirement age for women (55) and men (60) was set many decades ago amid different demographic conditions: life expectancy was drastically lower than now and working conditions differed.

It would be not fair to retain such level of the retirement age in regard to working and "young" pensioners."

"Opponents of the retirement age increase argue about low life expectancy of men and the notable gap of the same indicator for women. Yes, everything is right: there is the difference, a tangible one. Thus, it is not mentioned that low life expectancy is based on supermortality during an active working age, men on pension usually live an average of other 15.5 years, Tatstsiana Haplichnyk noted. –To be objective to the end, there's a need to take into consideration the indicator which directly touches upon the pension system – this is the expected lifespan after achievement of retirement age, the so-called survival period. It is one which indicates the term when people can have pension after achievement of retirement age."

According to the expert, argumentation based only on life expectancy at birth is "the speculative play upon heartstrings of those who do not understand what is behind numbers." Indeed, the life expectancy of Belarusian men is increasing (as well as women's one). This positive demographic trend will remain in the future as well, these are the expert's forecasts, they cannot but be taken into consideration while development of any socio-economic programmes, including a pension reform.

"It is clear that the retirement age increase is unpopular measure in any society. But this is essential for every country where the ratio between employable people and older people is deteriorating and, as a result, the dependency ratio is getting higher," she believes.

"There is no alternative to the retirement age increase; one needs to take a practical view of the situation. Well, let us say, in Norway my age-mates will retire at the age of 72. And it is taken as a fact: the more we live, the longer we work, even if someone does not accept it, Tatstsiana Haplichnik added. - With the current demographic tendencies and with the expected ageing of population, the retirement age increase is a logical decision."