Explained Reasons for Absence of Retirements Among Russians in 2025
In Russia, August 1, 2025, marked a "missed" year in the pension schedule as no mass retirements occurred. This is part of an ongoing transition period to the new retirement age, which began on January 1, 2019, as reported by Alexander Safonov, a professor at the Psychology and Human Capital Development Department of the Financial University under the Russian government.
Safonov explained that the gradual increase in the retirement age was the reason no one retired in 2025. The changes in the retirement age affect women born between 1966 and 1968 and men born between 1961 and 1963.
From 2023 to 2028, the retirement age will increase by a full year. Consequently, pension rights will only be realized in even years - 2024, 2026, and 2028, due to these full-year increments in the retirement age.
By 2030, about 10.1 million workers will reach retirement age, creating a need to replace this large retiring workforce plus an additional 800,000 new jobs. This demographic shift imposes pressure on Russia's pension and labor system, but as of today, no immediate pension age changes are effective on August 1, 2025.
The government's focus is on workforce replenishment and demographic measures, with no specific announcements or laws effective on this date that change the formal retirement age or pension entitlements in Russia. This contrasts with some other countries where gradual increases in retirement age are being considered or implemented.
The transition period to the new retirement age in Russia will last until December 31, 2028, as established by Federal Law No. 350-FZ of October 3, 2018. As the retirement age challenges continue to be a major policy issue in the coming years, the government and President Putin are actively discussing ways to boost labor participation and birth rates to mitigate economic risks from population decline and workforce shrinkage.
In light of a gradual increase in Russia's retirement age, psychological professor Alexander Safonov highlights a connection between this shift and the lack of mass retirements in 2025, emphasizing the importance of workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness, particularly mental health, in the midst of such changes.
The continued emphasis on boosting labor participation and addressing population decline highlights the necessity of implementing effective strategies that consider science and mental health during this evolving transition period in Russia.
