Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has dismissed reports that Israel is seeking to gradually raise the retirement age to 70 as part of a multi-year economic plan.

Smotrich bashed the reports in the Hebrew press as “false” in a social media post on X.

“Journalists have not contacted me on the subject to enquire and receive clarifications — this is not serious, which is what these reports appear to be,” Smotrich said in his Wednesday statement. “So at least the public should know my position: The retirement age will not be raised to 70. The issue is not on the agenda.”

Smotrich’s comments came after reports said senior officials in the Finance Ministry had begun formulating a broad multi-year economic plan for 2027–2032, including sweeping economic reforms aimed at lowering the budget deficit. Among the measures under discussion were the cancellation of certain tax and VAT exemptions and the gradual raising of the retirement age to 70.

The retirement age for men in Israel is 67, and the retirement age for women varies from 62 to 65, depending on their year of birth. The mandatory retirement age is 67 for........

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