Lithuanian parliament raises retirement age for men and women

The increase in the retirement age by four months per year for women and by two months for men will begin on January 1, 2012 and continue until the retirement age reaches the expected 65 years. Currently, women in Lithuania retire at the age of 60 years, and men at 62.5 years.

The reform "will make people work till their last day," say critics of the bill, wondering at how "quietly, without a broad discussion with the public it was pushed through, for it was the most important document."

The rise of the retirement age is due to financial problems of the state social insurance. The chances president Dalia Grybauskaite may veto laws adopted by parliament are equal to zero.

"It is high time this issue was resolved. Across Europe the retirement age is 65-67 years. This needs to be done," she said on Thursday.