Civil Service Retirement Changes Likely This Year

The Secretary for Civil Service Joshua Law said on Monday that unions have welcomed a plan to allow more than 50,000 government workers to put off their retirement for five years, and said the rule changes could come into force by the end of 2018.

Staff are currently being consulted on the proposal, which affects those who joined the Civil Service between June 2000 and the end of May 2015.

Workers on civilian grades could choose to stay on until they are 65, while the limit would be 60 for those in the disciplined services. Staff who have joined government departments since June 2015 are already expected to work until they reach these ages.

Law told legislators on Legco's Panel on Public Service that he doesn't think the proposed changes would affect the promotion prospects of other staff.

"We expect these civil servants to retire in 15 to 20 years' time, so there will be a relative long time for bureaus and departments to plan, in a systematic manner, matters such as promotion and succession," Law said.

The Civil Service secretary said government staff who choose to work longer will be entitled to the same benefits they currently enjoy. But they would switch to a less attractive provident fund scheme – the one that applies to those recruited since June 2015.

Staff will be given a year to decide whether they would like to extend their retirement and once the decision is made, it cannot be changed.

Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting welcomed the plan, saying it could help tackle an ageing workforce. He pointed out that many people are physically fit to work beyond 60.

The government is collecting views from civil servants on the suggested changes until April 13.