Workers in the public sector are set to have their compulsory retirement age raised from 65 to 70 in the years to come.
The change is expected to be announced to address an issue whereby public servants who retired at 65 were not able to avail of state pensions until they turned 66.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe plans to raise the mandatory retirement age to 70, but workers may still retire after 65 if they wish.
Those who can continue working, subject to suitability and health requirements, will be able to put in another 5 years’ service.
It has not yet been announced when the changes will be introduced, but it is believed the age will rise to 70 over a phased process.
The change will apply to the many workers who joined the public service prior to 2013. Currently, the mandatory retirement age is 70 for people who joined the public service after 1 January 2013 and the minimum retirement age is 66.
Minister Donohoe is expected to announce further details on the changes later today.
