Government extends civil servants’ retirement age

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]

GOVERNMENT has officially extended the pensionable and mandatory retirement age for civil servants from 65 to 70 years.

The changes were announced through Statutory Instrument (SI) 201 of 2024 under the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (General Laws Amendment) Regulations, 2024.

According to a notice issued by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the amendment was made in terms of Section 31 of the Public Service Act (Chapter 16:04), with the concurrence of the Ministers of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

The new regulations, cited as the Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 3), amend the Public Service Regulations of 1992, which were published in Statutory Instrument 1 of 2000.

The updated regulations state:
“(1) Subject to section 18, a member appointed on pensionable terms of service—
(a) before the effective date, may have a pensionable age of sixty-five years with the option to retire at seventy years on full pension:

“Provided that any retirement after the sixty-fifth anniversary and before the seventieth anniversary shall be deemed early retirement; or
(b) on or after the effective date, shall have a pensionable age of seventy years.”

The regulations further specify that a member’s pensionable age must be recorded in their employment record for pension purposes. Each year, by June 1, the paymaster is required to provide all heads of ministries or departments with a list of members who will turn 60, 65, or 70 in the following year.

The notice also outlines provisions for early retirement. Members may, upon giving three months’ notice, retire before reaching the pensionable age anytime after attaining the age of 60, subject to approval by the Commission.

Additionally, the PSC may require a member to retire upon or after reaching the age of 60, provided the appropriate notice period is given. However, continuous service members on pensionable terms prior to the effective date cannot be required to retire before the age of 70.

The amendment is expected to have significant implications for the public service, offering civil servants extended opportunities for career progression and financial stability while contributing their expertise to the nation’s development for longer periods.