Russian parliament passes pension bill in key second reading

The Russian parliament's lower house, State Duma passed the controversial pension bill in key second reading on Wednesday.

The bill passed with 326 votes for, 59 against and one abstention raised the pension age for women by five years to 60 and for men to 65.

The bill was approvedafter lawmakers earlier during the day unanimously approveda number of concessions proposed by President Vladimir Putin to soften the reform.

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The reform bill was approved by the State Duma in a first reading in July.

The reform had led to a rare outburst of public anger in the countrywith tens of thousands rallying across Russia in recent months.

Most people had been opposed to the hike in the retirement age and the critics claimed that the reform would essentially rob ordinary people of their earnings.

The pension reform, which was announced the day the World Cup started in Russia in June, will be the first retirement age increase in the country in nearly 90 years.

Given the low life expectancy of Russian men -- 65 years -- many would not live long enough under the reform to receive a state pension.

(With inputs from agencies)