No plans to raise retirement age for civil servants, says minister

PETALING JAYA: There are no plans to increase the retirement age for civil servants, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

“However, the government is ready to carry out a detailed study to increase the retirement age if there is a need,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).

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The current mandatory retirement age in the civil service is 60 years.

Those appointed before Jan 1, 2012, civil servants may choose to retire at 55, 56, 58 or 60, she said in a parliamentary written reply to Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras).

Tan wanted to know if the government planned to increase the retirement age limit and if an in-depth study had been made.

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It was reported in The Star previously that Malaysia’s retirement age is below the average in OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, recorded in 2022 at 63.6 years for women and 64.4 years for men.

Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) chief executive officer Datuk Nik Amlizan Mohamed had suggested increasing the retirement age.

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She pointed out that Malaysians’ life expectancy today has increased to 75 years from 57 years five decades ago.

Increasing the retirement age can help older workers support themselves, she added.