The demographic benefits are diminishing. >>More

China's demographic benefits, in essence, stem from the economic growth and the social benefits achieved through increased human capital investment. This investment, however, cannot be sustained. 

--Mu Guangzong, a Professor and Ph.D Supervisor of Population Research Institute, Peking University

The most populated country in the world faces a serious aging crisis: the ratio of citizens over the age of 65 to the total population is currently 9 percent and is expected to reach 30 percent by 2065. At the same time, the ratio of the population aged 15-64 will fall to 56 percent of the total population. This aging problem will eventually increase the burden on the pension system, with the number of pensioners soaring rapidly while the number of contributors grows more slowly.

 --Hu Yifan, the chief economist of Haitong International Securities Group Limited

It would help cut the social security funding shortfall.

If China’s retirement age were to be extended by a year, the extension would add 4 billion Yuan to China's pension fund annually and cut expenditures by 16 billion Yuan. And the social security funding shortfall would be cut by 20 billion Yuan.

--Zheng Bingwen, director of the Center for International Social Security Studies of the CASS

The total pension amount one gets after retirement won't be affected. 

The current national pension system’s basic principles are "those who pay more pension and delay collecting their pension can get more." By working longer, the impacted personnel could enjoy a higher salary for longer. In the meantime, the increasing income of the pension fund would make the fund more sufficient.

--Lu Jinghai, a committee member of the China Association for Labor Studies

Certain occupations need more experienced workers.

Elderly workers are normally the ones with the most experience; they are more likely to do well managing employees and developing companies further. It's a waste of human resources if we let these experienced workers retire early.

--Holger Hanisch, an internet user

The unemployment situation will worsen.

Generally, labor supply has exceeded demand in China. If older employees do not retire job vacancies for new employees will inevitably shrink.

-- Liu Yulin, a waiting-for-job youth

It's not conducive to social equity. >>More

The possibility of being dismissed for blue-collar workers at their 40s or 50s is greatly increased. Once they are being dismissed, which means not only they no longer have a steady income, but also means that they still have to pay pension.

--Tang Jun, Secretary General of the Social Policy Research Center of the CASS

An employee has to continue contributing to his/her pension account after retirement and collect it several years later. This could create uncertainty and generate more financial burdens for the already retired and the unemployed.

--An anonymous official from the Nanjing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau

People who want early retirement are mostly labor-intensive and low-income manual workers. As they get older, they will become physically incapable of coping with their job. Those working in state-owned companies and the public sector would only earn more. That’s not fair.

 --Ranmo, a Sina Weibo user

Filling the pension gap is not an excuse to delay retirement.

Priority should currently be placed on deepening the reform and speeding up economic development. As long as China's economy develops in a healthy way, its pension system will be safeguarded. It's not right to fill the pension gap by increasing the age at which employees can collect their pensions.

--Li Lin, director of the CASS Institute of Law

The government should not delay the retirement age without compensation. 

In many countries, the government provides a variety of compensation measures when the retirement age is postponed. Obviously, no one wants to work full-time when it's time to enjoy retirement.

--Wulebuzuo, a Sina Weibo user

Elderly care worries become more acute

The growing size of China's aging population begins to weigh down its economic growth. 

Retirees feeling squeeze as pensions shrink

As the tight employment market puts the strain on young job seekers, retirees are feeling an heavier burden. 

 China can avoid welfare pitfalls

By starting its social security and medical and health care reforms late, China can learn from mistakes made by the US and Europe.

Ageing Japan a warning to China

Like Japan, China is also facing an ageing problem. The country's demographic shift poses a huge challenge to policymakers.