MANILA – A House of Representatives panel approved a measure that seeks to lower the optional retirement age among government employees to 56 years old from the current 60 years old.
The committee on government enterprises and privatization passed the bill – a consolidation of nine measures – proposing amendments to Republic Act 8291, or the Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997.
Under the bill, a member who retires from the service shall be entitled to benefits provided that they have rendered at least 15 years of service, at least 56 years old at the time of retirement, and were not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent total disability.
“With lower optional retirement age, the retirees can enjoy a better quality of life through their pension and retirement benefits at an earlier age,” said Rep. Rodel Batocabe (AKO Bikol party-list), one of the authors of the bill.
“The lower retirement age ultimately helps the bureaucracy as it hastens the turnover of government positions to younger professionals, making way for the fusion of fresh blood in public service,” he added.
Moreover Batocabe noted that countless cases involving public officers emphasize the need for a younger workforce in government to inject new perspectives and insight into the ranks.
“The bill also creates more employment opportunities for those seeking employment in the government and a chance to serve the country,” said the congressman.
“This bodes well for the families of our retirees as well, as our retirees have more time to spend with their loved ones in relative comfort,” he added. “Our retirees and their families will enjoy the fruits of decades’ worth of labor and will lessen the burden on the family’s spending.”/PN
