VOLUNTARY EXTENSION OF RETIREMENT AGE TO 62

Mr Cyrille Tan asked the Prime Minister whether the Government, civil service, statutory boards and government-linked companies will take the lead in voluntarily extending the retirement age to 62 years prior to its implementation on 1st January 1999.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee for the Extension of the Retirement Age to extend the retirement age to 62 years from 1st January 1999. The Government is encouraging employers to implement the new retirement age as and when they are ready to, even before the legislation comes into effect.

The Civil Service is currently studying how to implement the extension of the retirement age. If we are ready to implement the extension before 1st January 1999, we will do so.