Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa has clarified that the standard retirement age for both public and private sector employees is set at 60 years. However, there are options available for early retirement at 55 years or late retirement at 65 years, applicable to both sectors.
In a telephone interview during the ZNBC TV1 lunchtime news, Mr. Muntengwa explained that employees who were recruited before the amendment of the retirement law have the flexibility to retire at 60 years with the options of 55 or 60 years if they amend their contracts, which initially provided for retirement at 54 years.
Mr. Muntengwa pointed out that employees at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) were unsuccessful in their retirement claims because they had not amended their contracts to reflect the new retirement provisions.
The Labour Commissioner also noted that in 2015, the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) issued circulars with consent forms for employees to align the retirement age to 60 years, with the options of retiring at 55 or 65 years. For these adjustments to take effect, compliance with the requisite notice periods outlined in the circulars was necessary.
Mr. Muntengwa emphasized that without the amendment of the retirement age in the contract, with the consent of both the employer and the employee, the employee would retire at 55 years as per the original contractual provision, whether in the public or private sector.
Retirement; most feared by many but for the psychologically prepared it becomes an opportunity to explore new opportunities as well as test one’s experience. It is not a death sentence per se.
In any case can one expect to work until death. Some men would want to retire but their wives won’t accept a change in their life style facilitated by their husbands being in employment. I recall how our mothers were refusing going back to the village after retirement.
The life expectancy of people in Africa is 63 years. How does someone retire at 55 or 60 years? At that age surely people will die in offices. When can they enjoy their hard earned money? Retirement should be brought down to 45 and 50 so that people can prepare themselves to enjoy their money. Travel outside zambia with their families. Second, early retirement can create employment for young people instead of keeping an old service in public offices. The longer they stay the more unproductive they become.
Too much imfwi in the offices
Anyone can retire at any age. But after working for more than 20 years, a retiree can be treated as having retired at 55/60/65.
If my initial retirement on my employment contract says 54, then I must apply for an extension. My employer can either reject or accept my application request.