Medvedev says Russia to raise retirement age sooner or later

The Russian government will raise the retirement age sooner or later, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the official government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, published on Wednesday.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UAA1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"It is clear that we will have to decide on an increase of the retirement age sooner or later – life expectancy is growing across the globe, the age of a real retirement is rising as well," the official said, according to Russian economic news agency Prime.

Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said earlier that the retirement age must be raised to 63 for both men and women from 60 and 55 years, respectively. Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, who is responsible for social issues, said that the government will not raise the retirement age in the next 10 years.

Read alsoRussia may waive payment of funded pensions, raise taxesMedvedev said that a recent decision to increase government officials' retirement age was met with criticism.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UAA2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!