Romania to raise women's retirement age to 65 by 2035

Romania will gradually increase the retirement age for women to 65, bringing it in line with that of men by 2035 as part of a broader overhaul of the country's pension system.

The changes, which begin to take effect in July, will see the retirement age for women rise by approximately two months each year until it reaches 65. Previously, women retired at 63, while the standard retirement age for men was already set at 65, Caliber.Az reports per Romanian media.

The new pension law also introduces stricter rules for early retirement. Under the revised system, only individuals with at least 40 years of pension contributions will be eligible to retire before reaching the statutory retirement age.

Romanian authorities say the reform is aimed at harmonising retirement rules for men and women and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the country's pension system.

Romania has around 4.6 million pensioners, the majority of whom are women, meaning the gradual increase in the retirement age is expected to affect a significant share of future retirees.

By Sabina Mammadli