Belarus Labor Ministry: The retirement age won’t be raised in 2016

Belarusans shouldn’t expect the raise of the retirement age in 2016, stated the representative of the Belarusan Labor and Social Protection Ministry, at the press conference on 4 January.

 “It is too early to speculate that the decision [to raise the retirement age] will definitely be made in 2016,” said Larisa Yashkova, Deputy Head of the Central Office for Pension Provision of the Belarusan Labor and Social Protection Ministry, BelTA informs.

Yet the official noted that the matter will be reviewed in time. The official underlined that the matter of raising the age of retirement has been hotly debated in the last few years.

In her words, as many as 25% of the retirees in Belarus continue working. “The labor market changes in response to the demographic situation. As much as 27% of Belarus' population is pensioners. By 2020 the figure is expected to grow to 29%,” the official said.

The minimal period of service for getting pensions will be increased by 20 years.