The Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced the implementation of Statutory Instrument 197 of 2024, also known as the Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 3), which came into effect on January 1, 2025.
This regulation establishes that public service employees appointed before the new rules took effect will have a pensionable retirement age of 65, with the option to continue working until the age of 70 while still receiving a full pension.
The announcement, titled Circular No. 3 of 2025, was signed by PSC Secretary Sibusisiwe Zembe on January 28, 2025, and includes the following key points:
- The mandatory retirement age for public service employees is now set at 70 years.
- Employees may opt for early retirement at 60, subject to Commission approval.
- The current regulations still restrict appointments to the Public Service on pensionable conditions for individuals aged 50 or older, though such individuals may be appointed on a contract basis for a defined period.
- Employees between the ages of 55 and 60, who were employed before January 1, 2025, can retire with Commission approval.
- Employees who were in service prior to January 1, 2025, can choose to retire at 65 after giving notice.
- The new regulations do not apply to individuals who retired on or before December 31, 2024.
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