18 Mar 2026

Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, has told Parliament that government may consider revising the official retirement age for public employees, currently set at 60 years, depending on existing employment conditions. Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, Minister Mohwasa emphasised that any proposal to raise the retirement age beyond 60 would require a comprehensive examination of the current job market and public service delivery needs. Crucially, the minister stressed the need for a balanced approach, saying while government aimed to effectively leverage the skills of seasoned human resources, it must also remain sensitive to graduate unemployment. “Any policy change would need to ensure that extending the careers of older employees does not inadvertently limit opportunities for the younger workforce entering the public service,” he added. Kgatleng East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule had asked the minister to state the possibility of aligning the general public service retirement age with that of judges and other specialised professions, set at 65 years, with a view to enhance economic participation among experienced professionals and also bridge the current five-year gap between general public officers and specialised cadres. ENDS