Hiking retirement age to 62 - In-principle decision taken and DoPT working towards implementation

The government is planning to extend the retirement age of all central government 
employees by two years — from the current 60 to 62 years. Sources said that an
 in-principle decision has been taken in this regard and the department of personnel
 and training (DoPT) has begun the work to implement the same. A formal announcement
 to this effect is expected this year itself.

The last time the government extended the retirement age of central government employees 

was in 1998. It was also a two-year extension from 58. This was preceded by the 

implementation of the 5th Pay Commission, which had put severe strain on government’s

 finances. Subsequently, all state governments followed the Centre’s policy by extending

 the retirement age by two years. Public sector undertakings followed suit too.

The decision to extend the retirement age is well-timed both politically and economically.

The UPA government reckons the move would be a masterstroke. At a time when it is

 buffeted by several corruption cases, it is felt that the extension of the retirement age

 will go down well with the middle classes. Economically also, the move makes sense

 because by deferring payment of lump sum retirement benefits for a large number of 

employees by two years, the government would be able to manage its finances better.

“An in-principle decision has been taken to increase the retirement age by two years 

within this year itself. This would reduce the burden on the fisc from one-time

 payment of retirement benefits for employees including defence and railways

 personnel,” an official involved in the discussion said. With the fiscal consolidation

 high on the government's agenda, this deferment would come handy.

There’s some flip side too if the retirement age is extended by two years. Those officials

 empanelled as secretaries and joint secretaries would have to wait longer to actually 

get the posts. And of course, there is the issue of average age profile of the civil 

servants being turning north.

It is also felt that any extension is not being fair with a bulk of people who still look

 for jobs in the government.

However, officials point out that at least it prevents an influential section of the bureaucracy

 to hanker for post-retirement jobs with the government like chairmanship of regulatory bodies

 or tribunals.

“As it is, a sizeable section of senior civil servants work for three to five years after the retirement

 in some capacity or the other in the government,” said a senior government official. The retirement

 age of college teachers and judges are also beyond 60.

As per a study, the future pension outgo for the existing Central and State government

 employees is estimated at a staggering R1,735,527 crore or 55.88% of GDP at

 market prices of 2004-05.