Mercer: Increases in normal retirement ages underline impact of longevity

Data released by Mercer has highlighted the broad increase in social security retirement ages as national governments move to reduce their social security costs in response to increased longevity. Mercer's research analysed changes in normal retirement age (NRA) across 47 countries.

According to Giles Archibald, Mercer's global head of international retirement services, "The twin pressure of increasing social security costs and lower mortality rates are driving changes in retirement provision. An increase in state retirement ages is only part of the response. In the private sector, companies are moving away from defined benefit towards defined contribution and hybrid plans to control costs and risks. This is in parallel with changes to plan governance and funding requirements."

Mr. Archibald continued, "Governments are increasingly looking to the private sector to supplement social security - placing more pressure on employer resources. However, as social security is eroded, so innovative company-sponsored retirement plans are becoming a more attractive tool for companies to recruit the best talent and remain competitive."

Summary of state normal retirement age increases

Europe , Middle East and Africa
In Austria, the retirement age for women will be gradually raised from 60 to 65 between 2024 and 2033. In Belgium, from 2009, the NRA for women will be raised from 64 to 65. Retirement ages for men and women in the CzechRepublic have been increasing by two months and four months every year respectively since 1996. By 2013, the aim is to reach the target retirement age of 63 for males and 59 - 63 for females, depending on the number of children raised. Denmark will increase the NRA age for men and women from 65 to 67 between 2024 and 2027. Germany, too, is increasing the age for men and women from 65 to 67 between 2012 and 2029.

In Hungary, the government plans to pass legislation to increase the retirement age from 61/62 to 64 for women and from 62 to 65 for men by 2020 and then to 68 for women and to 69 for men by 2050. Israeli legislation in 2004 is gradually raising (according to date of birth) the retirement age from 65 to 67 for males and from 60 to 64 for females. In Italy, the government is proposing to increase the minimum retirement age from 57 to 58 in 2008 and then to 61 by 2013.

In Turkey, for persons insured from September 1999, the social security retirement age is 60 for males and 58 for females while for persons insured before September 1999, the retirement age ranges from 41 to 56 years. In the United Kingdom , a common State Pension Age of 65 will be fully implemented before 2020. This will be gradually increased between 2024 and 2046 to 68 for men and women.

According to Yvonne Sonsino, head of Mercer's international retirement business in the UK, "Western Europe is in a particularly difficult position with an aging workforce and a history of generous social security provision. Passing pension legislation faces the enormous challenge of politicians seeking to retain the support of their voters. Recent strikes and disturbances in France have highlighted the sensitivities involved but also underline the seriousness of the issue."

Asia-Pacific
In Australia, by 2014, the minimum qualifying age for women will be increased from 60-65 (according to date of birth) to a standard 65, making it the same for men and women. In India, under the mandatory Employees' Provident Fund and Gratuity Scheme the normal retirement age is typically 58 or 60 accor