Colombia Supreme Court President proposes pension age debate

Iván Mauricio Lenis, President of the Colombian Supreme Court of Justice, has proposed opening a national debate regarding an increase in the retirement age and the potential unification of retirement ages for men and women. Currently, Colombian law sets the retirement age at 62 for men and 57 for women.

Lenis cited demographic shifts, including increased life expectancy, declining birth rates, and high labor informality, as primary drivers for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension system. He noted that many international systems set retirement ages between 65 and 68.

The proposal has sparked significant political debate. Vice President José Manuel Restrepo clarified that the Executive branch has not included such changes in its current agenda, distancing the government from the suggestion. Meanwhile, critics and analysts have raised concerns regarding social justice, noting that women often face greater labor informality and unpaid caregiving responsibilities, which could make raising the retirement age disproportionately difficult for them.