Armenians also complain, but…
The RA Law on "State Pensions" will enter into force starting on January 1, 2011. The age for receiving pensions for men and women has been set at 65, except for those who have worked for over 10 years and those who have turned from 62 to 63 years old according to the new law.
This law is based on the program for pension reforms that launched in Armenia in 2003. Within the framework of this program, since then the current age for receiving pension has gradually grown by half a year and it has almost passed.
Unlike the French, Armenians didn't protest the law. For the past couple of months, French pensioners have been protesting the pension reforms according to which the age for going on pension has been moved from 60 to 62.
"A1+" took surveys from citizens and found out that many of them, for instance, say the French are doing a right thing by protesting. However, they say it is useless to take such steps in Armenia.
Vazgen Astghikyan, who has worked as a school director for 30 years, says the reason for this is that there is no real democracy in Armenia.
Chief accountant Gayla Arosyan has worked for 50 years and says women's pension had to be set at least until 60.
The law is also troubling for the youth because this means that they will have fewer years of getting job opportunities.
According to official data, the average lifespan of the Armenian population in 2009 was 74 years, which is 0.1 percent more than what it was in 2008.
It turns out that starting in 2011, the government will pay pensions for an average of only 9 years.
