Where Are the World's Youngest Retirement Ages? A Country-by-Country Breakdown

Many workers dream of retiring early, but which country has the lowest retirement age globally? While most developed nations are pushing retirement ages upward due to aging populations and pension pressures, several countries worldwide still offer surprisingly young retirement options. Here’s a comprehensive look at where retirement comes earliest, and what kind of pension benefits workers in these countries can expect.

Before diving into specific nations, it’s important to understand that most retirement systems operate on one of two models. A defined contribution plan requires workers to pay a percentage of their earnings into the system, with retirement benefits determined by years worked, age, and other factors. Conversely, a defined benefit plan guarantees a specific benefit level for every retiree.

Indonesia: The Starting Point at 57

Indonesia offers one of the world’s youngest retirement options for both men and women, who can exit the workforce at age 57. However, this figure is climbing. The retirement age will reach 58 in 2024 and then increase by one year every three years until hitting 65 in 2043. Workers in Indonesia’s private sector contribute to a state-managed social security program, where they can choose between receiving a lump sum at retirement or combining partial payments with ongoing installments.

India: A Range Spanning Three Decades of Work

Depending on their employment sector, Indian workers typically step down from their jobs between ages 58 and 60. Government workers in Kerala saw their retirement age raised to 60 in 2020, with other states following suit. Central government employees currently retire at 60. The country’s pension framework includes employee contribution schemes and employer-managed funds. To qualify for the Employees’ Pension Scheme, workers must reach 58 with at least ten years of contributions. The Employees Provident Fund program is more accessible, requiring only 55 years of age. These programs cover government employees and those at companies with 20+ employees—representing just 12% of India’s total workforce.

Saudi Arabia: Consistent Standards for Both Genders

Saudi Arabia maintains uniform retirement eligibility at 58 for both men and women, who increasingly participate in the workforce. Workers contribute to a mandatory public pension system and can begin drawing benefits at 58 if they have contributed for at least 120 months, or at any age with 300 months of contributions. A significant development occurred in 2023 when the minimum pension for retirees was increased by 20%.

China: A Tiered System Based on Work Type

China maintains one of the world’s most complex retirement age structures. Men retire at 60, while women’s retirement age depends on their job category: 55 for white-collar workers and 50 for blue-collar workers. Those engaged in physically demanding labor face even earlier retirement windows—age 45 for women and 55 for men. The country offers two pension approaches: a basic pension providing 1% of average wages for each year of coverage (requiring minimum 15 years of contributions), and a defined contribution pension where workers contribute 8% of wages annually to an individual account, receiving payments based on age and national life expectancy.

Russia: Current System With Planned Changes

Russian men currently retire at 60 while women exit at 55, though the pension system faces mounting strain as the population ages. The government plans to increase these thresholds to 65 for men and 60 for women by 2028. Early retirement remains possible for men with 42+ years of contributions and women with 37+ years, though pension payments cannot begin until the standard ages (60 and 55 respectively). All Russian workers pay into social security and must contribute for at least eight years before claiming benefits.

Turkey: Transitioning Toward Older Retirement Ages

Currently, Turkish men can retire at 60 and women at 58, though significant changes lie ahead. In 2023, Turkey reformed its retirement rules, allowing workers who enrolled in the social insurance program by September 8, 1999 to collect pensions after specific contribution periods: 25 years for men and 20 years for women. This responded to pension law changes from 1999 that took effect without a gradual phase-in period. Turkey is systematically raising its retirement age, with both genders reaching 65 by 2044.

South Africa: Universal Age Standard

Both men and women in South Africa can receive pension benefits starting at age 60. The public pension system is means-tested, meaning citizens aged 60 or older with limited income and assets qualify for an “older person’s grant.” Beyond this, voluntary private pension options allow employers and employees to make contributions.

Colombia: A Two-System Framework

Colombian men can retire at 62 while women have a lower threshold at 57. The country operates two parallel pension systems—a public pay-as-you-go plan and a private individual account plan. Workers can switch between systems every five years until a decade before their planned retirement, though they cannot participate in both simultaneously. Participation in one system is mandatory.

Costa Rica: Balanced Requirements and Supplementary Coverage

Costa Rican men and women both retire at 65, provided they have contributed for at least 300 months (25 years). Those with 180-300 months of contributions receive a proportional pension. Additionally, workers access supplementary pensions through individual accounts, with optional defined contribution personal pensions available.

Austria: Gradual Convergence Toward Equal Ages

Austrian men retire at 65, while women currently retire at 60—though this gap is narrowing. Women’s retirement age will gradually increase to 65 by 2033. Austria’s pension system operates as a defined benefit structure, requiring workers to have paid in for at least 180 months to qualify. Retirees with low earnings receive supplementary amounts ensuring they meet a minimum income threshold.

Planning Your Path to Early Retirement

One critical takeaway emerges across all these countries: to access retirement benefits at these relatively young ages—whether in a country where the lowest retirement age exists or elsewhere—you must have worked and contributed to a retirement system for a specified number of years. Early planning and consistent contributions are essential if you’re considering retiring at one of these younger thresholds. Understanding both your country’s system and these global alternatives can help you make informed decisions about your retirement timeline.