The article analyses trends in working life expectancy in Russia. Working life expectancy is calculated with the Sullivan method. The analysis shows that duration of working life in Russiais shorter than in many countries of Europe and North America. Thе gap is particularly high among the male population. At the same time Russian men and women have the shortest periods of economic inactivity. Our findings indicate that the lag of Russia is determined by the short expected life expectancy. This gap is particularly high among the male population. In the context of mass inclusion of young people in the process of obtaining higher education, the expected pension period is short. The combination of short periods of working life and economic inactivity, as well as low gender differentiation in the duration of working life, distinguishes Russia from other countries. We found that a significant part of the losses and the lag of Russia from other countries are determined by the high mortality rate in working ages, especially the male population. The potential for growth in the duration of the economically active life of the Russian population is primarily determined by the further decline in mortality, especially in working age. The increase in retirement age should be coordinated with the increase in life expectancy.