Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has proposed that the government consider increasing the retirement age to 65, clarifying that the suggestion reflected her personal opinion.

“That is merely my personal view,” she told reporters after officiating the 2024 Excellent Service Award (APC) Ceremony and the 2025 Retirement Farewell for the Law and Institutional Reform Cluster (UURI). 

Azalina said her perspective was shaped by the idea of “active ageing”, noting that many Malaysians remain physically and mentally active well beyond the age of 60. 

She said that an increasing number of older individuals are still energetic and youthful in spirit. “Many older individuals are still very ‘young’ at heart. You would have to check with the relevant registry, but I believe the proportion of people aged over 60 is on the rise,” she said.

When asked whether she intended to bring the suggestion to cabinet, Azalina said she had only been speaking informally with retiring colleagues. 

She also noted that a number of countries, including some within ASEAN, had already raised their retirement age beyond 60.

In Malaysia, the mandatory retirement age for civil servants has undergone three revisions over the past two decades through amendments to the Pensions Act 1980. The age was increased from 55 to 56 in 2001, raised to 58 in 2008, and further extended to 60 in 2012.

For private sector employees, the Minimum Retirement Age Act 2012 currently sets 60 as the minimum retirement age.

In November 2024, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, stated that the government had no immediate plans to revise the retirement age for civil servants. However, she added that the government remained open to conducting a comprehensive review should the need arise.

(Source: NST) 

• TAGS:
• Active Ageing
• Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
• Retirement
• Retirement Age