New retirement age
LAWMAKERS have the support of various sectors of society as they work in unison to bring down the optional retirement age of government workers in the Philippines.
Pending consideration in the 24-member Upper House of Congress is Senate Bill (SB) No. 2444, which seeks to lower the retirement age of civil servants from 60 to 56 years old.
In his sponsorship of SB No. 2444 last Wednesday, September 20, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. of Cavite echoed the government workers’ desire to be given the option to retire earlier.
In the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the 226,000-strong Philippine National Police, which is civilian in nature but national in scope, the compulsory retirement age is 56 years old.
The Philippines has one of the oldest retirement ages in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a Civil Service Commission (CSC) survey.
And a World Bank (WB) report said that Filipinos have a life expectancy of just 72 years old, which is lower than the Vietnamese, Malaysians, Singaporeans and Thais.
These Asians have a life expectancy of from 76 to 84 years old, according to reports.
Revilla said that “we have to do something” so that those who wish to enjoy their retirement earlier will have that option.
And it is certainly heartening to know that the CSC supports the passage of the proposed piece of legislation.
Doubtless, there’s an urgent need to have a better retirement plan for those working in government offices that is responsive to the current economic situation in the country.
It’s a move in the right direction.
