SRC Updates Civil Service Retirement Age .
SRC Updates Civil Service Retirement Age . SRC Opposes The Proposed Reduction of Retirement Age .
Introduction
The Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) strongly opposes reducing the retirement age . This is for civil servants and teachers to 55 years. Currently, public employees and teachers retire at age sixty . While individuals with disabilities retire at age sixty-five.
Proposal for Lower Retirement Age
A legislative proposal aiming to lower the mandatory retirement age to 55 years old has been presented to Parliament . This has sparking a public debate and uproar.
Arguments for Lower Retirement Age
Proponents argue that decreasing the retirement age would provide young people with opportunities to advance their careers . However, SRC Chairperson Lyn Mengich argues for maintaining the retirement age at sixty. She cited concerns about increased pension costs and the potential rise in the number of pension recipients.
Global Trends and Considerations
Mengich urges proponents of the lower retirement age to consider global trends and mentions countries without retirement age limits as benchmarks. She highlights that individuals become eligible for a pension at age 55 in Kenya but emphasizes their continued productivity and contributions to the nation if they choose to retire at that age.
Expertise in the Labor Market
Moreover, Mengich asserts that workers with vast expertise benefit the Kenyan labor market, making it unreasonable to let them go at a young age. In contrast to this perspective, the Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill of 2023 seeks to lower the retirement age to 55.
Government’s Previous Adjustments
The government previously adjusted the retirement age in 2009 from 55 to 60 years and extended it by five years for public sector employees. This decision was driven by the government’s efforts to address a significant pension debt resulting from an increasing number of retirees.
Proposed Amendments
Benjamin Gathiru, MP for Embakasi Central, has presented a bill to amend the current Act, which includes provisions limiting the duration of acting positions to six months.
Conclusion
SRC’s stance on the retirement age for civil servants and teachers remains firm amidst ongoing discussions and proposed legislative changes.
