Global Retirement Age Landscape: Which Countries Let Workers Exit Early?

When it comes to early retirement, not all nations are created equal. While most developed economies are gradually pushing retirement ages upward due to aging populations and pension pressures, certain countries worldwide still maintain surprisingly young retirement thresholds—a stark contrast to the standard retirement age approach in developed Western nations.

The Earliest Retirement Options: A Global Overview

Several Asian and Middle Eastern nations lead the pack in offering relatively early retirement opportunities. Indonesia currently permits both men and women to step back from work at just 57 years old, though this is in transition. The country has begun incrementally raising its retirement age to 58 in 2024, with further one-year increases every three years until reaching 65 by 2043.

Similarly, India maintains retirement ages between 58 and 60 years depending on employment sector. Government employees in Kerala now retire at 60, while central government workers also exit at this age. The pension framework includes employee contribution schemes and employer-managed funds, with eligibility varying: workers can access the Employees’ Pension Scheme at 58 with ten years of contributions, or tap into the Employees Provident Fund as early as 55.

Middle Eastern and North African Patterns

Saudi Arabia offers men and women the opportunity to retire at 58, contingent on having contributed at least 120 months to the mandatory public pension system. Alternatively, workers with 300 months of contributions can retire at any age. Notably, the kingdom boosted its minimum pension for retirees by 20% in 2023.

Russia similarly allows men to retire at 60 and women at 55, though these ages are scheduled to rise to 65 and 60 respectively by 2028. The current system does permit early exit for those with extended work histories—men with 42 years of service or women with 37 years can leave early, though they must wait until the standard age to claim benefits.

Latin American and European Comparisons

In Latin America, retirement ages are generally more moderate. Colombia sets the bar at 62 for men and 57 for women, with workers able to choose between public pay-as-you-go or private individual pension plans. South Africa permits both men and women to receive pensions at 60 through a means-tested system.

Turkey currently permits men to retire at 60 and women at 58. However, recent legislative changes introduced more flexible contribution-based eligibility: men who joined before September 8, 1999 need 25 years of contributions, while women require 20 years. This framework will gradually shift toward 65 for both sexes by 2044.

Austria maintains 65 as the retirement age for men, while women can currently retire at 60—though this will align to 65 by 2033. The defined benefit pension system ensures minimum income protections for lower earners.

Gendered Retirement Age Differences

China exemplifies how retirement ages vary dramatically by employment type. Men retire at 60 across the board, while women face tiered options: 55 for white-collar roles, 50 for blue-collar positions, and as early as 45 for certain physically demanding jobs. The pension structure includes a basic tier paying 1% of average wages per coverage year (requiring 15-year minimum contributions) plus a defined contribution account where workers deposit 8% of annual wages.

Australia in the Global Context

When comparing these international frameworks to developed nations like Australia, the contrasts become apparent. Most advanced economies are substantially raising retirement ages to address demographic shifts, placing them well above the 57-62 range common in many developing economies.

Key Takeaway for Aspiring Retirees

Regardless of which country’s retirement system you’re examining—whether it’s Indonesia’s early 57 threshold or Austria’s 65 benchmark—one universal principle applies: you must accumulate sufficient contribution years before accessing benefits. Planning for retirement requires decades of intentional participation in your nation’s pension infrastructure, making early financial strategy essential for anyone hoping to exit the workforce at any of these ages.