TSC Rolls Out Retirement Programme For Teachers Aged Fifties
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced a retirement program aimed at teachers aged fifty and above. In a communication addressed to county and sub-county directors, the commission has mandated the identification of venues for educating teachers about retirement. These teachers will convene at designated locations within their respective sub-counties during this and the following week for the retirement awareness program.
This initiative comes at a time when members of parliament are in the process of drafting legislation to retire teachers and civil servants aged fifty-five and above. Approximately 85,000 teachers and civil servants are expected to retire in the next three financial years, putting significant pressure on taxpayers, with pension costs estimated to reach nearly Sh210 billion annually during this review period.
Section 80(1)(a) and (b) of the Public Service Commission Act of 2017 specifies that a public officer must retire from service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age, which is currently 60 years and 65 years for individuals with disabilities. However, there is ongoing consideration within the parliamentary committee to reduce the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 55, with the aim of creating more employment opportunities for young people.
On a specific date, Thursday, August 3, the National Assembly’s Labor committee, during discussions on the Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, expressed its intention to introduce an amendment capping the retirement age at 55. Various Members of Parliament voiced their support for this change, emphasizing the need to accommodate the growth of younger generations in the workforce.
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Should these proposed changes be approved, it would result in a significant portion of civil servants retiring earlier, with potential financial implications for the government, which is already grappling with a substantial pension burden. In 2009, the mandatory retirement age was raised from 55 to 60 years as a response to the increasing pension expenses. The National Treasury, as of December 2021, had paid out Sh69.22 billion in pensions and gratuities, and a 2016 audit revealed that 35% of national government employees fell within the 51 to 60 years age group.
Additionally, the Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023 introduces provisions allowing for acting appointments in public offices. These appointments are contingent upon individuals meeting all the necessary qualifications for the respective roles, and appointments made without meeting these criteria will be revoked by the Public Service Commission.
TSC Rolls Out Retirement Programme For Teachers Aged Fifties
